"Post Doctoral Scholar"

The Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO) at OSUCCC James

The postdoctoral scholar will support the laboratory of Dr. No Joon Song at the OSUCCC James Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO). The postdoctoral scholar will play a key role in the planning, design, and execution of mechanistic and translational tumor immunology research. The primary objective of this position is to elucidate how T cell-NK cell interactions, immune regulatory circuits, and cellular state transitions shape responsiveness to cancer immunotherapies. Research efforts will extend to therapeutic modalities including immune checkpoint blockade, cytokine-based immune modulation, and engineered cellular therapies such as CAR-T platforms. The scholar will contribute to the development and refinement of innovative research methodologies and will independently design, optimize, and execute complex immunologic and molecular experiments across in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo model systems.

Technical scope includes primary immune cell isolation and manipulation, high-dimensional flow cytometry, multiplex immune profiling, spatial and single-cell transcriptomics, and functional assays to evaluate immune activation, cytotoxicity, and persistence. Additional methods may involve CRISPR-based perturbations, viral vector engineering, and immune cell manufacturing workflows relevant to CAR-based therapies. In vivo responsibilities include murine tumor modeling, immune cell adoptive transfer, and therapeutic efficacy studies.

The postdoctoral scholar is responsible for analyzing and interpreting experimental datasets and will work closely with the principal investigator to prepare manuscripts, abstracts, and research reports for peer-reviewed publication and scientific conferences. They will also participate in the preparation of grant submissions and perform critical evaluations of relevant scientific literature to inform ongoing and future research directions. In addition to advancing their own research projects, the scholar will help train junior lab members, support daily laboratory operations, and ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulatory standards, including biosafety and animal research guidelines.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conducts independent and collaborative research to generate high-quality mechanistic and translational data supporting manuscripts, conference presentations, and competitive grant submissions. Designs, performs, and troubleshoots experiments in tumor immunology using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo platforms, including immune cell functional assays, high-dimensional flow cytometry, and murine cancer models. Maintains rigorous documentation, ensures reproducibility, and drives projects toward publication and scientific impact under the mentorship of the principal investigator.
• Leads the development and implementation of innovative laboratory approaches to investigate T cell-NK cell interactions, immune regulatory pathways, and cellular engineering strategies including CAR-T platforms. Optimizes and refines protocols, integrates emerging technologies (e.g., single-cell and spatial profiling, CRISPR perturbations, advanced imaging), and contributes conceptually to study design, experimental direction, and scientific rationale.
• Supports preparation of figures, datasets, manuscripts, and grant applications. Provides mentorship and technical training to students and research staff, contributes to a collaborative lab culture, and assists in maintaining regulatory compliance, equipment readiness, and general laboratory operations.

Required Education and Experience:

• PhD in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or a related biomedical science field is required.
• Demonstrated experience in translational cancer research, particularly in the development and characterization of antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, or cell-based immunotherapies (e.g., CAR-T or CAR-NK).
• Experience in advanced molecular and cellular biology techniques, including DNA/RNA extraction, RT-PCR, flow cytometry, ELISA, Western blotting, protein purification, and cell-based cytotoxicity assays.
• Hands-on experience with small animal models, including tumor xenograft establishment, dosing techniques (e.g., tail vein, IP, SC injections), and in vivo imaging.
• Experience with laboratory operations, equipment maintenance protocols, and safety compliance in accordance with institutional and federal guidelines (e.g., OSHA).
• Strong analytical skills with experience in data analysis, interpretation, and reporting for scientific publications and grant proposals.
• Prior experience in training or supervising laboratory staff and contributing to collaborative, multidisciplinary research teams.

Application Instructions: Candidates must submit a CV, a brief statement summarizing research interests and experience, and contact information for 3 references.

This position requires successful completion of a background check.

The OSUCCC James is the only cancer program in the United States that features a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center aligned with a nationally ranked academic medical center and a freestanding cancer hospital on the campus of one of the nations largest public universities. The Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO) is a comprehensive bench-to-bedside research initiative focused on harnessing the bodys immune system to fight cancer at all levels from prevention to treatment and survivorship. The Laboratory of Dr. No Joon Song is a part of the OSUCCC-James, PIIO. Dr. Songs research focuses on understanding T cell exhaustion to increase efficacy of immunotherapy.