Post-doctoral Researcher | Yale School of Medicine | Tumor Immunology​/AI​/generation

The Ishizuka Lab at Yale Cancer Center is seeking an exceptional, highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join an integrated computational–wet lab team developing new cancer immunotherapies.

We study how tumors evade the immune system through innate immune signaling, with a particular focus on double-stranded RNA sensing, viral mimicry, and innate immune checkpoints. We develop new ways to interrogate and reprogram these interactions, from patient tumors through to engineered therapeutic molecules. Our work spans perturbational single-cell profiling of human tumors (PERCEPT), AI-informed virtual screening, CRISPR-based functional genomics, mRNA therapies, and the design and directed evolution of AI-generated therapeutic binders.

The successful candidate will lead projects in related areas of the lab:

• Generate and own their own ideas, troubleshooting failures.
• Comfortable across computational and wet-lab approaches, keen to learn.
• Approach unfamiliar problems with curiosity and critical analysis.
• Collaborate and mentor young trainees in a supportive, high‑energy lab.
• Communicate clearly in writing and talks.
• PhD in immunology, cancer biology, protein engineering, synthetic biology, bioengineering, or a related field.
• A record of substantive scientific accomplishment and ownership of work.
• Ability to design and troubleshoot difficult experiments independently.

This role offers the opportunity to bridge human translation to fundamental mechanism and novel immunotherapy design.

We welcome qualified applicants from all backgrounds in accordance with equal opportunity hiring.