Postdoctoral Research Associate - Radiation Oncology

About the role

The Karam Lab at WashU Medicine seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to join our federally funded research program investigating systemic immunity, the tumor microenvironment, and the mechanistic drivers of resistance to radiation and immunotherapy. Our lab is part of the renowned WashU Bursky Center for Human Immunology ecosystem and has a proven track record of mentoring postdoctoral fellows into successful independent research careers.

Responsibilities

• Independently formulate hypotheses regarding systemic immune responses, TME reprogramming, macrophage polarization, and T-cell exhaustion to overcome treatment resistance.
• Design and execute highly complex, fundamental basic science and translational experiments utilizing orthotopic models, targeted radiation platforms (SARRP), and advanced immunological assays.
• Analyze data rigorously, draft high-impact manuscripts, and write grant applications (e.g., K99/R00, F32, or foundational grants).
• Engage in high-level scientific discourse with senior scientists, computational biologists, and graduate students to elevate the overall intellectual rigor of the lab.
• Serve as the day-to-day scientific sounding board and technical mentor for top-tier MSTP and PhD students.

Requirements

• Ph.D., M.D. or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.
• Demonstrable track record of operating completely independently.
• Deep conceptual and technical expertise in advanced immunology: high-parameter flow cytometry, adoptive transfer models, and T-cell/myeloid assays.
• Extensive experience in executing complex in vivo rodent tumor models.
• Uncompromising commitment to scientific excellence and the ability to work highly independently.
• Prior experience in tumor immunology, radiation biology, or radio-immunotherapy.
• A strong conceptual understanding of bioinformatics (ability to "speak their language" and translate data into bench experiments).

Qualifications

• Not Applicable

Skills

• Not Applicable

Benefits

Washington University in St. Louis provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to its employees. Eligibility for benefits is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. For a summary of benefits, please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/.