Research Scientist – Dr. Patrick Hwu Lab

Working at Moffitt is both a career and a mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.

As the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida, Moffitt employs some of the best and brightest minds from around the world. Join a dedicated team of nearly 11,000 who are shaping the future we envision. Moffitt has been recognized as a Best and Brightest Company to Work For in the Nation and is continually named one of the Tampa Bay Times’ Top Workplaces.

Summary The Research Scientist I is a non-tenure track researcher who assumes the direct responsibility of conducting and performing experiments or directly overseeing experimentation as part of a research team under the general guidance of an Investigator. The position's only activity is research and related support activities with efforts focused on goals of the laboratory they are part of.

Designs and conducts studies applying findings to draw conclusions.

Demonstrates potential for technical proficiency, scientific creativity, collaboration with others and independent thought. Works on problems of moderate scope in which analysis of situation or data requires a review of identifiable factors. Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.

Provides basic scientific/technical advice to individuals within a work group/project team.

May supervise less qualified and/or experienced professionals, technicians, or aides who assist in specific assignments.

The Hwu Lab develops genetically engineered T-cell therapies and novel immune receptors to improve tumor recognition, overcome immune suppression and combat metabolic stress within the tumor microenvironment, ultimately enhancing the efficacy of cellular immunotherapy against difficult-to-treat solid cancers.

Position Highlights:

Conduct innovative, hypothesis-driven research focused on novel CART designs, T-cell engineering strategies, and approaches to overcome biological barriers that limit efficacy of adoptive cell therapies in solid tumors.

Apply an integrated approach combining molecular and cellular biology, cancer genetics, immunology, and preclinical cancer models.

Lead and contribute to independent research projects investigating mechanisms of T-cell activation, persistence, dysfunction, tumor resistance, and immune suppression in the context of engineered T-cell therapies.

Develop and evaluate novel therapeutic strategies with potential for translational and clinical applications.

Contribute to peer-reviewed publications, grant applications, scientific presentations, and intellectual property, as well as the mentorship of junior researchers.

The Ideal Candidate :

Demonstrated experience in T-cell biology and CAR-T or TCR-T cell engineering, including lentiviral and/or retroviral gene modification of primary T cells or other immune cells.

Proficiency in multiparameter flow cytometry, including panel design, acquisition, compensation, analysis, and interpretation of high-dimensional datasets.

Demonstrated experience developing and applying functional assays to evaluate immune-cell activation, cytotoxicity, cytokine production, and proliferation.

Strong experience with molecular and cellular biology techniques.

Experience integrating and interpreting flow cytometry, molecular, functional, and/or multi-omics datasets to address complex biological questions.

Experience analyzing and visualizing data using Graph Pad Prism, R, Python, or equivalent software.

Strong record of scientific productivity, including peer-reviewed publications and/or contributions to intellectual property.

Strong analytical, critical-thinking, problem-solving, organizational, and scientific communication skills.

Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment.

Experience supervising or mentoring graduate students, research assistants, postdoctoral fellows, or other junior researchers.

Commitment to scientific rigor, reproducibility, ethical research practices, and continuous professional development.

Responsibilities:

Design and conduct and lead independent research projects.

Develop, optimize, and characterize genetically engineered T-cell products using lentiviral and retroviral gene-transfer approaches.

Perform molecular and cellular analysis

Integrate multi-omics data Analyze and interpret data Maintain research records

Contribute to publications and grant applications.

Mentor junior…