The Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine is seeking a
highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to design and engineer immune cells, particularly chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, with
novel functionalities, and to develop methods for monitoring engineered cell behavior, persistence, and biodistribution in real time to
improve their therapeutic application in cancer.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and engineer immune cells,
including CAR-T and other adoptive cell therapies, with novel synthetic functionalities and reporter systems. - Build and validate
genetic circuits, gene-edited lines, and viral/non-viral delivery strategies. - Conduct in vitro and in vivo studies to evaluate
immune cell efficacy, persistence, and safety. - Work with the imaging team to track engineered cells in vivo using PET, SPECT, and
bioluminescence reporter platforms. - Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of immunologists, bioengineers, computational
scientists, and clinicians. - Present findings at internal meetings and scientific conferences and prepare manuscripts for high-impact
journals. - Mentor junior researchers and contribute to a collaborative lab environment.
Qualifications
- PhD in Immunology, Bioengineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
- Strong hands-on experience in cell
engineering, particularly CAR-T cells or other immune cell therapies. - Proficiency in molecular biology and genetic engineering
techniques, including CRISPR-based gene editing, cloning and synthetic construct design, lentiviral/retroviral vector production, and
multiparametric flow cytometry. - Experience with animal models and/or immunotherapy studies.
- Experience in molecular imaging
or reporter gene systems is a plus. - Ability to work independently and within a collaborative team; strong communication and writing
skills.
Application: Interested candidates should send their CV, a cover letter outlining their research experience,
interest in this position and contact information for three references to Dr. Nalinikanth Kotagiri at NKotagiri@som.umaryland.edu
Desired start date: Immediately
