Postdoctoral Fellow - Pediatric Cancer​/Epigenetics​/Immunotherapy

Dr. David Milewski's Lab investigates mechanisms underlying high-risk pediatric sarcomas, with a particular focus on the epigenetic regulation of tumor–immune interactions and the development of strategies to improve immunotherapeutic responses.

The postdoctoral fellow will investigate how epigenetic and transcriptional programs regulate immune recognition and resistance in pediatric sarcomas. Projects will also explore genomic and pharmacologic approaches to modulate tumor and/or immune-cell states in the context of adoptive T-cell therapies, with the goal of enhancing T-cell recognition and killing of pediatric sarcoma cells.

The fellow will work closely with Dr. David Milewski to develop and test mechanistic hypotheses using molecular, cellular, genomic, and preclinical approaches. The position is intended to provide increasing scientific independence over time, including opportunities to develop new research directions, prepare manuscripts and grant applications, present findings at scientific meetings, mentor junior trainees, and pursue professional development toward the fellow’s long-term career goals.

Conducts research, designs experiments, analyzes data, and presents findings in informal and formal settings. The fellow will initially work closely with the principal investigator to establish experimental systems and research priorities and will be expected to develop increasing intellectual and experimental independence over the course of the fellowship. Appointment is a maximum of 7 years in length.

• Conducts hypothesis-driven research focused on pediatric sarcoma biology, tumor–immune interactions, epigenetic regulation, and immunotherapy.
• Designs and performs molecular and cellular experiments and analyzes and interprets resulting data.
• Uses mammalian cell culture and standard molecular biology approaches to investigate mechanisms regulating tumor and immune-cell phenotypes.
• Develops increasing independence in formulating research questions, experimental strategies, and new project directions.
• Records, analyzes, and critically evaluates experimental data and uses results to develop hypotheses for further investigation.
• Prepares scientific manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presents findings at local, national, and international scientific meetings.
• Works toward research independence through preparation of fellowship, career-development, and other external grant applications
• Collaborates with investigators and research teams at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University, and external institutions.
• Assists in the training and mentorship of research assistants, students, and other junior laboratory members.
• Participates in laboratory meetings, journal clubs, seminars, and other professional-development activities.
• Proactively manages research projects and works with the principal investigator to establish short- and long-term scientific goals.

PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in cancer biology, molecular biology, immunology, genetics, cell biology, or a related biomedical field, required.

Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred but not required:

• CRISPR/Cas9 or other genetic manipulation approaches.
• T-cell culture, activation, engineering, or functional assays.
• Flow cytometry and/or fluorescence-activated cell sorting.
• Mouse models of cancer or other preclinical models.
• Cancer immunology or tumor–immune interactions.
• Epigenetic or transcriptional regulation.
• Genomic approaches such as RNA-seq, CRISPR screening, or related technologies.
• Bioinformatic or computational analysis of genomic datasets.
• Pharmacologic screening or characterization of small-molecule therapies.