Postdoctoral Fellow - Translational Molecular Pathology

We are seeking talented and highly motivated postdoctoral fellows to investigate the cellular and ecological mechanisms governing the earliest stages of lung cancer development and to identify new strategies for cancer prevention and interception.

About the role

Our laboratory studies the evolution of lung adenocarcinoma from normal lung tissue through premalignancy and invasive cancer. Areas of focus include:

• Injury-induced epithelial plasticity
• KRT8-positive alveolar intermediate and progenitor cells
• Oncogenic KRAS signaling
• Inflammatory and immune microenvironments
• Tumor-immune co-evolution
• The contribution of the host microbiome to lung cancer pathogenesis

The laboratory combines human tissues with genetically engineered and carcinogen-associated mouse models, lineage tracing, organoid systems, preclinical intervention studies, and state-of-the-art single-cell and spatial profiling technologies.

The successful candidate will lead mechanistic studies examining how epithelial cell states, environmental or inflammatory injury, oncogenic signaling, and immune-cell niches interact to initiate and promote lung cancer. The fellow will also investigate how vulnerabilities arising during these early stages can be targeted through mechanism-based prevention and interception strategies.

Learning objectives

The postdoctoral fellow will:

• Develop advanced expertise in experimental cancer biology, lung epithelial biology, tumor immunology, and cancer prevention and interception.
• Learn and master relevant in vivo, ex vivo, and molecular approaches for investigating lung cancer initiation and progression.
• Develop rigorous skills in experimental design, quantitative data analysis, interpretation, reproducibility, and translational validation.
• Gain experience integrating mechanistic experimental findings with single-cell, spatial, genomic, and immunogenomic data.
• Lead the preparation of manuscripts and scientific presentations and contribute to fellowship and grant applications.
• Develop skills in scientific writing, oral communication, mentoring, networking, career planning, and other areas important for an independent scientific career.

Responsibilities

Depending on the candidate's experience and interests, research activities may include:

• Designing and conducting studies using genetically engineered, lineage-tracing, carcinogen-associated, and other human-relevant mouse models of lung cancer development.
• Establishing and manipulating primary-cell, organoid, and other ex vivo model systems.
• Performing molecular and cellular assays, flow cytometry, tissue processing, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, microscopy, and genetic or pharmacologic perturbation studies.
• Conducting preclinical intervention studies targeting oncogenic, inflammatory, immune, or epithelial-plasticity pathways.
• Interpreting single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, multiplex imaging, and related multimodal data.
• Working closely with computational scientists, pathologists, immunologists, pulmonary biologists, and clinical investigators to connect experimental findings with human lung tissues and high-dimensional molecular data.

Requirements

• Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in cancer biology, molecular or cellular biology, immunology, pulmonary biology, genetics, pathology, microbiology, or a closely related discipline.
• A strong foundation in molecular and cellular biology and a demonstrated commitment to mechanistic biomedical research.
• Hands-on experience with relevant experimental approaches, such as mouse models, animal procedures, mammalian cell culture, primary-cell or organoid systems, molecular biology, genetic manipulation, flow cytometry, microscopy, immunohistochemistry, or immunofluorescence.
• Ability to design, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret experiments with increasing independence.
• Evidence of research productivity, including peer-reviewed publications or strong manuscripts in preparation.
• Excellent organizational, collaborative, spoken, and written communication skills.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with mouse models of cancer or tissue injury, lineage tracing, lung biology, tumor immunology, or preclinical therapeutic studies.
• Interest in interpreting high-dimensional molecular data and collaborating with computational investigators.

This appointment is not part of a clinical training program. Individuals holding an M.D. degree or equivalent are not permitted to engage in patient-care activities as part of this position.

Benefits

MD Anderson offers full-time postdoc positions with excellent benefits, including:

• Medical and dental coverage
• Paid time off
• Retirement plans
• Tuition benefits and educational opportunities
• Individual and team recognition programs

Pay

Salary ranges from $64,000 to $76,000, depending on the number of years of postgraduate experience.

About the lab

The Kadara Laboratory provides a collaborative training environment where fellows interact with multidisciplinary teams of basic scientists, computational scientists, pathologists, physicians, and physician-scientists. Representative publications include:

• Sinjab et al., Cancer Discovery (2021)
• Rahal et al., Cancer Immunology Research (2024)
• Han et al., Nature (2024)
• Peng et al., Cancer Cell (2026)

These studies have defined the spatial and cellular architecture of early lung adenocarcinoma, characterized immune-cell states associated with disease evolution, identified KRT8-positive alveolar intermediate cells as potential precursors of lung adenocarcinoma, and uncovered inflammatory epithelial-immune niches that may be targeted for early cancer interception.

Additional information about the Kadara Laboratory is available on the Kadara Laboratory website.