Instructor, Research Faculty Appointment, Genomic Medicine

UT MD Anderson Cancer Center•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Instructor, Research Faculty Appointment in the Department of Genomic Medicine conducts mechanistic and translational research on epigenetic regulation of cancer and immune-cell function, with an emphasis on approaches to improve cellular immunotherapy. The Instructor leads defined research projects, contributes to publications and grant applications, collaborates with scientific and clinical investigators, and mentors trainees and research personnel under the guidance of the supervising Professor. Effort is allocated to research (90%), administrative activities (5%), and education (5%). The position has no direct patient care responsibilities. Research focuses on how enhancer activity and chromatin regulation influence tumor progression, therapeutic response, and immune-cell dysfunction; developing epigenetic editing approaches to improve T-cell function and persistence for adoptive cellular immunotherapy, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapies; and conducting CRISPR-based functional screens, chromatin profiling, single-cell multiomic analyses, and cellular and preclinical validation studies. The Instructor also supports translational research, scientific communication, grant development, research planning, responsible research practices, and education and mentorship.

Requirements

Doctorate-level degree in a field appropriate to the faculty role and/or department mission.
Ability to participate in collaborative research and team science.
Shows promise for institutional service and as an educator and mentor.

Nice To Haves

At least 2 years of postdoctoral experience, or equivalent time as a basic scientist (preferred).

Responsibilities

Lead defined research projects investigating how enhancer activity and chromatin regulation affect tumor progression, therapeutic response, and immune-cell dysfunction.
Develop and evaluate epigenetic editing approaches to improve T-cell function and persistence for adoptive cellular immunotherapy, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapies.
Design, conduct, and interpret CRISPR-based functional screens, chromatin profiling, single-cell multiomic analyses, and cellular and preclinical validation studies.
Collaborate with clinical, computational, and laboratory investigators to identify therapeutic targets and advance patient-relevant research across cancer types.
Prepare manuscripts and scientific presentations; contribute to research protocols, intellectual property disclosures, and translational development as appropriate.
Generate preliminary data and contribute to collaborative grant applications and progress reports; develop proposals as PI or Co-PI where institutional and sponsor requirements permit.
Contribute to research planning and project coordination, and responsibly steward data, reagents, equipment, and other research resources.
Maintain accurate research records and reproducible workflows; support laboratory safety, research integrity, and compliance with institutional policies and approved protocols.
Mentor trainees and research personnel in experimental design, epigenomic methods, functional genomics, data interpretation, and responsible conduct of research.
Participate in laboratory and departmental educational activities and provide feedback on scientific presentations, manuscripts, and research projects.
Participate in collaborative research and team science.
Comply with all policies and procedures and contribute to institutional service.