Postdoctoral Researcher - Surgery; Cancer Biologist - Levi Lab

A postdoctoral training position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Benjamin Levi, in the Center for Organogenesis and Trauma, Children’s Research Institute and Center for Mineral Researcher at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. The Postdoctoral Researcher would be joining a basic and translational laboratory funded by the NIH and DOD that consists of post-doctoral fellows, medical students, technicians and a research scientist supervised by Dr.

Benjamin Levi.

The Levi Lab investigates how cellular plasticity, inflammatory signaling, and tissue microenvironments influence disease outcomes following injury and in cancer. Ongoing cancer-focused projects investigate mechanisms underlying osteosarcoma and related musculoskeletal malignancies, including:

• How tumor–stromal and tumor–immune interactions shape cancer cell fate
• The role of nerves and on tumor progression
• Shared molecular pathways between regeneration, fibrosis, and oncogene sis
• Identification of therapeutic vulnerabilities within the tumor microenvironment

• Bone, soft tissue, or sarcoma biology
• Tumor microenvironment, stromal biology, or cancer‑associated inflammation
• In vivo cancer models
• Single‑cell, spatial, or multi‑omic profiling
• Translational or clinically motivated oncology research

This research integrates developmental biology, regenerative medicine, and immunology providing postdoctoral fellows with a rare opportunity to connect fundamental musculoskeletal biology to clinically relevant outcomes.

The Levi Laboratory is a well‑funded (NIH and DoD), highly collaborative basic and translational research group composed of postdoctoral fellows, clinician‑scientists, medical students, technicians, and research scientists. Postdoctoral fellows are encouraged to drive independent cancer‑focused projects, develop interdisciplinary collaborations, and lead first‑author publications.

The training environment emphasizes:

• Mechanistic, hypothesis‑driven cancer biology
• Strong mentorship with increasing scientific independence
• Exposure to translational and clinically informed research questions
• Active support for academic, industry, and translational career paths

Vision of the Levi Laboratory:
Enhance the human experience.

Mission of Levi Laboratory:
Maintain a culture of collaboration, connection, rigor and wellness to support ground‑breaking research using state of the art techniques and technologies to help those afflicted by injuries and diseases of the skin and musculoskeletal systems.

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Cancer biology, Immunology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics or other relevant branches of biological sciences. Experience in immunology, animal handling and surgery, single cell sequencing, molecular and cell biology, matrix biology, histologic analyses and flow cytometry leading to publication in peer‑reviewed journals is recommended.

Benjamin Levi, MD

Lee‑Hudson Professor and Chief of General Surgery, Director, Center for Organogenesis and Trauma (CORT)

Professor, Department of Surgery

UT Southwestern Medical Center 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390‑9158

Benjamin Levi, M.D. – Faculty Profile – UT Southwestern

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishment and experience. Consideration may be given to applicants seeking less than a full‑time schedule.

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full‑time employee‑only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare – no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer