Overview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world's deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. These values are grounded in and expressed through the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an anti-racist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, anti-racism and inclusion.

A highly motivated post-doctoral research fellow is sought to carry out a research project in the lab of Dr. A. McGarry Houghton at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA.

About the Lab

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, accounting for ~160,000 lives each year in the US alone. The Houghton Lab's current research program focus is to comprehensively study the host immune response to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The lab also studies the role of myeloid lineage cells within the lung tumor microenvironment. Studies in this area are centered upon the mechanisms by which neutrophil lineage cells antagonize lymphocyte functions within the tumor microenvironment.

Responsibilities

The Post-Doctoral Fellow will contribute to the Lab's research agenda with a focus on the identification of tumor microenvironmental factors that dictate success or failure to immune checkpoint blockade. This project will involve single cell sequencing experiments and subsequent data analysis. The project will also involve the use of novel mouse models of lung cancer that rely on cigarette smoke exposure in mice to generate lung adenocarcinomas with a high mutational spectral burden. The fellow will conduct independent and collaborative research resulting in presentations and publications.

The techniques involved will include working with mouse models of lung cancer (Kras/p53, Pten/Lkb1, LLC syngeneic models, etc.) both with and without cigarette smoke exposure and carefully studying the immune response to the tumor using flow cytometry, multiplexed-immunohistochemistry, gene expression analyses (qPCR), protein assessment (ELISA) and others. Experience with single cell sequencing, RNAseq, and whole exome sequencing is preferred. Manipulation of these model systems with immune-based and other oncology drugs are commonplace in the lab. These in vivo studies will be supplemented by in vitro studies involving multicellular culture system, assays of cellular chemotaxis, function and viability and other standard protocols. The ability to analyze the complex datasets resulting from the above experimentation is essential.

Qualifications

To be considered, candidates must have:

• A recent PhD, MD/PhD, or MD in a relevant biological field
• Candidate is expected to have project leadership experience in a team environment, and must be able to work independently with little supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills are essential.

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

The annual base salary range for this position is from $65,484 to $100,000 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, income-based child care subsidy, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (22 days per year), paid sick leave (up to 30 calendar days per occurrence of a qualifying reason), paid holidays (13 days per year), and paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).

Our Commitment to Diversity