"Postdoctoral Fellow - Immune Cell Engineering for Pediatric Glioma"

The Laboratory of Human Biomimetics (humanbiomimetics.com) at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital / Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research in St. Petersburg, FL is recruiting a creative, mission-driven Postdoctoral Fellow to help engineer next-generation immune therapies for pediatric glioma. Our group reverse-engineers multiorgan human biology using iPSC/organoids, microphysiological systems (MPS), fluidics, and systems biology to address hard problems in medicine.

In this role, you will integrate immune-cell and tissue engineering to build patient-specific multiorgan MPS that connect glioma, the blood–brain barrier, liver, and immune compartments. Using these living avatars, you will design, iterate, and test personalized cellular immunotherapies—optimizing efficacy, trafficking across the BBB, and safety liabilities such as cytokine release or hepatic off-targets. The position is highly collaborative, with direct access to clinicians and cross-disciplinary partners, and expects first-author manuscripts, conference presentations, and mentorship of junior trainees.

What we’re looking for. Prior, hands-on experience engineering immune cells—specifically CAR and/or TCR T cells—is required. You should bring a Ph.D. (or M.D./Ph.D.) in Immunology, Bioengineering, Cancer Biology, Synthetic Biology, or a related field; fluency with functional immunology (co-culture killing, cytokine profiling), molecular biology and vector design, and flow cytometry and imaging; and the ability to drive an independent project while thriving on teamwork and clear communication.

Great to have. We’re excited by candidates who have engineered NK cells or macrophages; built logic-gated/synNotch circuits or safety switches; used CRISPR (including base/prime editing); worked with brain tumor models, BBB systems, or patient-derived glioma lines; or have practical experience with microfluidics/organ-on-chip, 3D bioprinting, or biomaterials. Familiarity with iPSC differentiation (neural, endothelial/pericyte, hepatic) is helpful, as is comfort with multi-omics (scRNA-seq/spatial, proteomics/metabolomics) and analysis in R or Python. A translational mindset—thinking in terms of potency, QC, and GMP-relevant considerations—will set you apart.

Our environment. We’re based at a superbly equipped institute in St. Petersburg, Florida, with full access to resources at the Johns Hopkins Baltimore campus and a culture that prioritizes mentorship, career development, and a clear path to independence. St. Pete offers an outstanding quality of life: affordable living, beaches and nature, proximity to Tampa International Airport, and a vibrant cultural scene.

Appointment and application. Start date is flexible; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience, with Johns Hopkins benefits. To apply, send a single PDF containing (1) a cover letter describing your fit and your vision for immune engineering in pediatric glioma, (2) your CV, and (3) contact information for 2–3 references. Use the subject line “Postdoc — Immune Cell Engineering (Pediatric Glioma)” and submit via mtrapec1 (at) jhmi.edu.