Postdoctoral Fellow Microbiome and Brain Tumor Research

Postdoctoral Fellow Opportunity at Moffitt Cancer Center

The laboratory of Dr. Golnaz Morad at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center — an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and one of the nation's top-ranked cancer research institutes — is recruiting a driven and scientifically ambitious Postdoctoral Fellow to conduct and contribute to cutting-edge basic and translational research at the intersection of metastasis dormancy, neuro-oncology, and microbiome research.

The Morad lab is interested in understanding host-microbe interactions in the context of brain tumors, with a particular focus on brain metastasis and metastatic dormancy. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to engage in the novel and rapidly evolving field of Neuro-microbiome research, with ample opportunities for high-impact discoveries. The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, with active partnerships spanning multiple institutions, providing valuable opportunities to advance their scientific and collaborative skills and expand their scientific network.

Position Highlights:

• Well-funded research program with active federal grants, ensuring robust resources for ambitious science.
• Supportive and collaborative lab culture dedicated to your growth as a scientist.
• Dedicated support and training for grant applications and conference presentations, and preparation for independent academic or industry careers.
• Access to state-of-the-art core facilities and technologies to support basic and translational research.
• Unique opportunities for translational research within Moffitt's integrated environment, where cutting-edge patient care and scientific discovery are deeply intertwined.
• Outstanding mentorship from expert faculty at the institution with wide-ranging funded research programs including T32 Training Grants.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Highly motivated to learn new concepts and techniques.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to conduct independent research and collaborate effectively.
• Committed to producing high-quality, high-impact research and contributing to publications and grant proposals.
• Foundational knowledge in one or more of the following: metastasis biology, tumor immunology, microbiology, and microbiome research.
• Hands-on experience with preclinical mouse models (e.g., murine xenograft or transgenic models, colony management).
• Experience analyzing immunological datasets, such as flow cytometry data and multiplex cytokine assay, with working knowledge of standard analysis platforms (e.g., Flow Jo, Graph Pad, R) is a plus.
• Experience with microbiome research methodologies is a plus.

Responsibilities:

• Lead independent and collaborative research.
• Design and execute rigorous, hypothesis-driven experiments using in vitro, in vivo, and/or omics-based approaches to address key questions in cancer biology.
• Analyze, interpret, and present data in lab meetings, institutional seminars, and scientific conferences.
• Maintain accurate and organized research records and contribute to manuscript preparation, grant writing, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Stay up to date with relevant scientific literature and bring innovative ideas and critical thinking to the lab's research direction.
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external teams, including clinicians, bioinformaticians, and core facilities.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to scientific rigor and ethics, embrace teamwork, and contribute positively to the lab environment, and pursue continuous professional development.
• Participate in mentoring junior trainees and lab members when appropriate.

Credentials and

Qualifications:

• Candidates must hold (or be close to completing) a PhD, MD/PhD, or DDS/PhD in cancer biology, microbiology, immunology, or related fields.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Record of peer-reviewed publications and presentations demonstrating research productivity.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants are invited to submit a single PDF file containing the following materials to golnaz.morad.

• A 1-page cover letter summarizing their research training, accomplishments, and career goals.
• Current…