Career Center

Overview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit, unified adult cancer care and research center that is clinically integrated with UW Medicine, a world leader in clinical care, research and learning. The first National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in the Pacific Northwest, Fred Hutch's global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy, and COVID-19 vaccines has confirmed our reputation as one of the world's leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Based in Seattle, 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 believe that the innovation, collaboration, and rigor that result from diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission of eliminating cancer and related diseases. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an antiracist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, antiracism, 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.

Fred Hutch has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement, with exceptions only for approved medical or religious accommodations. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees must provide proof of vaccination or initiate the accommodations process before their first day of employment.

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

Our Commitment to Diversity

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to our Employee Services Center at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.