Washington University in St. Louis·Logan, Utah
The role involves independently formulating hypotheses and executing complex mechanistic in vivo models to study tumor immunology and treatment resistance. The researcher will drive high-impact publications, write grant applications, and mentor PhD and MSTP students.
St. Louis, mo 63110
A Postdoctoral Researcher position is available in the tumor immunology laboratory of Dr. Sana Karam, Professor of Radiation Oncology at WashU Medicine. Situated within the world-renowned WashU Bursky Center for Human Immunology ecosystem, our federally funded research program is fundamentally rooted in basic immunology and cancer biology. We rigorously investigate systemic immunity, the tumor microenvironment (TME), and the mechanistic drivers of resistance to radiation and immunotherapy utilizing advanced pre-clinical models of head/neck and pancreatic cancers.
While our core identity is grounded in fundamental, mechanistic discovery, we possess the rare and privileged ability to directly translate our bench findings into real-time clinical trials. The Karam Lab has a proven, established track record of mentoring postdoctoral fellows into successful independent research careers. We are seeking our next scientific leader.
As our basic science and pre-clinical research programs continue to expand, we are specifically seeking a candidate with rigorous, formal training in fundamental immunology to drive the in vivo and molecular arm of our lab. While the PI remains deeply engaged in the strategic vision and intellectual mentorship of the laboratory, we operate on a model of high-level scientific partnership rather than traditional bench-level micromanagement. You are expected to bring deep mechanistic insight, drive the scientific narrative, and leverage our robust pre-clinical models—complemented by our clinical trial multi-omic data—to build your own high-impact portfolio. This position is designed as a launchpad for an ambitious postdoc intending to build their own independent laboratory.
We are seeking a highly driven, intellectually rigorous, and fiercely curious scientist. The successful candidate must possess a deep hunger for scientific discovery, the ability to think critically and independently, and the ambition to push the boundaries of current oncologic paradigms. Supported by in-house computational biologists and top-tier institutional core facilities, your primary mandate will be high-level hypothesis generation, designing and executing complex mechanistic in vivo models, and driving science forward to high-impact publication.
Duties: & Responsibilities:
Information on being a postdoc at WashU in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/ [https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/].
This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.
Base pay is commensurate with experience.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Required application materials:
A specialized cover letter explicitly detailing your most significant scientific intellectual contribution to date, your career ambitions, and a description of why you thrive in a highly independent environment that values peer-level scientific discourse over day-to-day directive instructions.
Curriculum Vitae (CV) including a full list of publications.
Contact information for three professional references.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.
No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
No specific work experience is required for this position.
A driver's license is not required for this position.
No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Collaboration, Data Analysis, Data Interpretations, Experimentation, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Techniques, Researching, Results Reporting, Scientific Writing
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ [https://hr.wustl.edu/careers/external-applicant-faq/].
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu [CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits: Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.
Requires a PhD, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree with rigorous training in fundamental immunology. Preferred candidates have a track record of first-author publications and expertise in high-parameter flow cytometry and rodent tumor models.
Market context
In Utah, postdoctoral research associate roles in radiation oncology tend to be most competitive where institutions are building translational cancer research programs and need candidates with strong immunology and experimental skills. This role category is competitive because employers often look for doctoral training, first-author publication history, and hands-on experience with high-parameter flow cytometry and rodent tumor models. Before applying, compare your publication record and methods experience to the posting, and note that the job requirements and benefits on this platform are AI-summarized from the original job description, saving you research time.
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