Our translational laboratory is dedicated to bridging the gap between bench and bedside by developing innovative cellular immunotherapies for children and young adults with gliomas and other CNS tumors. We are particularly focused on integrating personalized medicine and immunotherapy as an addition to the standard of care to improve survival and quality of life for our patients.

Principal Investigator: Prajwal Rajappa, MD, MS

Cleveland Clinic Research Department: Center for Immunotherapy and ImmunoOncology

Lab Research Topics:

• Pediatric and Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) brain cancer
• Glioma and Central nervous system (CNS) tumor and immune biology
• Innate (myeloid) and adaptive immunity within the glioma immune microenvironment
• Personalized medicine
• Cellular immunotherapy
• For more information about the lab’s research, please contact Dr. Rajappa at [email protected].

Job Responsibilities:

• Independent project design with the goal of data generation, analysis, interpretation and manuscript preparation
• Conduct translational research focused on Pediatric and Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Gliomas and Central Nervous System tumors
• Design and implement cellular immunotherapy strategies to prevent glioma progression
• Develop and evaluate personalized medicine approaches to complement standard of care
• Leverage unique human and mouse archival tissues to advance research and clinical impact

Education:

• PhD or MD/PhD required
• MD with relevant laboratory experience may substitute for PhD

Languages:

• English Proficiency proof required for candidates arriving on J-1, J-2, or F1 + OPT visa status

Work Experience:

• Previous experience in a research or academic setting. Graduate student experience meets this requirement.
• Scientific writing experience

Additional Preferred Qualities:

• Strong background in cancer biology or tumor immunology
• Experience with molecular biology techniques and mouse modeling (in-vivo handling and treatment studies in mouse tumor model systems)
• Experience with multi-parameter flow cytometry, myeloid, NK, and T cell-based assays for human and mouse samples
• Experience working with the interpretation of next-generation sequencing data
• Strong publication record in addition to excellent communication and teamwork skills

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform work in a stationary position for extended periods
• Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment
• Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information
• Ability to distinguish color
• Manual dexterity to handle specimens and repair equipment
• Ability to lift and transport equipment or specimens weighing up to 20 pounds
• May be exposed to hazardous chemicals, bio-hazards, radioactive materials, etc.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• PPE per institutional requirements; may vary by laboratory

Preferred Application Materials:

• CV
• Research statement
• References list
• All application materials should be submitted directly via email to Prajwal Rajappa at [email protected].

Keywords: Postdoc, Research, LRI, Pediatric Oncology, CNS Tumors, Personalized Medicine, Immunotherapy, Glioma, Translational Research, Tumor Microenvironment, Myeloid based Therapy, Single-cell Sequencing, Neuro-oncology, Cancer Genomics, Precision Medicine, Immuno-oncology, Cell Therapy, Translational Medicine