Research Postdoctoral Fellow - Weber Laboratory

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A Brief Overview
Under the direction/guidance of a mentor (principal investigator), assumes responsibility for a specific, on-going research project. The experience will serve to extend, refine and enhance skills necessary for professional and career development, and will enable the individual to broaden his/her scientific background by acquiring new research capabilities. It is expected that this individual will conduct independent scholarly research, and will contribute directly to the overall research goals of the project and the research group.

This role will be expected to participate in project planning, recording and interpretation/evaluation of data, and communication of results. This position will also be expected to acquire technical, lab management, and manuscript/grant writing skills; and participate in seminars, lectures, poster sessions and presentations at national meetings. This role also may be required to supervise junior lab members, develop new methods and protocols for research, and assist with the development of other research projects in the lab.

About the Laboratory

The Weber Lab at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine seeks a postdoctoral fellow to develop novel approaches to enhance chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T) cell therapeutics through transcriptional and epigenetic reprogramming. Utilizing an array of pharmacologic, gene-editing, and bioengineering approaches, we aim to identify and modulate transcriptional and epigenetic pathways that redirect human T cells towards more therapeutic cell states. Multi-omics analyses on experimental and patient CAR-T cells will enable us to link epigenetic features to cell phenotype, function, and patient outcomes, thereby informing our T cell engineering efforts.

Applicants must have a terminal degree (PhD, MD, DVM, etc.) in a related discipline with expertise in one or more of the following: immunology, bioengineering, molecular biology, or bioinformatics.

The postdoc experience will serve to extend, refine and enhance skills necessary for professional and career development, and will enable the individual to broaden his/her/their scientific background by acquiring new research capabilities. Under the mentorship of the principal investigator (Dr. Evan Weber, PhD), it is expected that this individual will conduct independent scholarly research, and will contribute directly to the overall research goals of their project(s) and the research group. Postdocs will be expected to participate in project planning, recording and interpretation/evaluation of data and communication of results. Postdocs will also be expected to acquire technical, lab management, and manuscript/grant writing skills, and participate in seminars, lectures, poster sessions and presentations at national or international meetings. Postdocs may also be required to supervise junior lab members, develop new methods and protocols for research, and assist with the development of other research projects in the laboratory.

Lab information

CAR-T cell therapies have revolutionized the cancer immunotherapy landscape. However, T cell exhaustion and poor persistence limit efficacy in patients and are major barriers to progress for the treatment of solid tumors. The Weber Lab is working to uncover molecular programs that drive human CAR-T cell dysfunction, identify targets for therapeutic intervention, and inform universal strategies that improve CAR-T cell efficacy in cancer patients. Moreover, we are building a vibrant, inclusive, and interdisciplinary team to tackle pediatric cancer through the development of more efficacious T cell therapies. Highly competitive salary and benefits are offered.

What you will do

• Conduct independent scholarly research and develop new methods and protocols
• Participate in project planning, recording and evaluation of data
• Acquire technical, lab management and grant writing skills
• Participate in seminars, lectures, poster sessions and presentation at national meetings
• Supervise junior lab members
• Assist with other research projects

Education Qualifications

• Doctorate Required

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to wear a respirator device

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SALARY RANGE:

Salary ranges are shown for full-time jobs. If you're working part-time, your pay will be adjusted accordingly.

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