The Mackall Lab is pleased to offer a Postdoctoral Fellow position with a focus on T cell engineering in the Stanford Center Cancer Cell Therapy at Stanford University School of Medicine. We seek a highly creative and motivated scientist to perform cutting-edge immunology research to overcome resistance mechanisms identified in patients receiving engineered T cell immunotherapies.
We have recently completed groundbreaking clinical studies of CD19- and/or CD22-targeted CAR T cell therapies (Spiegel et al. Nat Med 2021, Frank et al. Lancet 2024). We have generated a wealth of data from these and other patients that revealed mechanisms of resistance to CAR T cell immunotherapies (Good et al. Nat Med 2022; In Preparation). We now seek to model suppression resulting from T regulatory (Treg) cells by conducting genetic screens to overcome this suppression and to enhance CAR T cells for lymphoma. On the other hand, we also seek to apply the lessons learned from cancer cell therapies to develop advanced T cell immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases.
Applicants will have the opportunity to work with a stellar team of interdisciplinary scientists. This position will be located in the new laboratory at the Center for Clinical Sciences Research led by Dr. Zinaida Good, which provides a collaborative environment that pushes the cutting edge of technology in computational and preclinical models informed by patient data. A successful candidate will leverage models of Treg suppression, Perturb-seq workflows, and receive assistance from a laboratory technician to design and test novel CAR T cell designs with the goal of improving therapeutic potential. We are located amid a vibrant academic research community at Stanford School of Medicine in the center of Silicon Valley.
The position is available immediately and the start date is flexible. The position is initially for one year with possibility of renewal based on performance.
- PhD or MD/PhD
- Strong cell engineering skills, preferably with a focus on T cells
- Previous expertise and/or interest in Perturb-seq, T regulatory cells, cancer and/or autoimmune diseases is desired
- We are particularly interested in candidates who are self-motivated, think creatively, scientifically rigorous, and enjoy collaboration
- Cover letter indicating: (1) how your prior experience aligns with this position; and (2) how this position will further your career goals
- CV with complete list of publications
- Contact information for 3 references