Physician - Immune Effector Cell Therapy- Clinician Scientist (BMT)

The University of Kansas Health System•Westwood, KS

About The Position

Physician - Immune Effector Cell Therapy- Clinician Scientist (BMT) The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas Cancer Center (an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center), is seeking an Clinician Scientist in immune-effector cell therapy to join the Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics. We are the region's largest BMT and Cellular Immunotherapy program in Kansas. The candidate will have access to world- class resources including a new cancer center under construction. This is an opportunity to shape the future of cancer immunotherapy by driving translational research at the interface of discovery, preclinical development, and early-phase clinical trials. The successful candidate will advance next-generation approaches, including CAR-T/NK therapies, engineered macrophages/monocytes, and combination immunotherapies for hematologic and solid tumors.

Requirements

MD or PhD in Immunology, Hematology/Oncology; Cancer Biology, Bioengineering, or related field
2–5 years post-degree research experience in immune-effector cell therapy or closely related area
Hands-on expertise in cell engineering (viral/non-viral delivery; CRISPR or equivalent), primary T/NK cell culture, and functional immunology assays
Previous extramural funding: i.e., K award, R21, DOD
Demonstrated track record of impactful publications and team-based science

Responsibilities

Establish an innovative and externally funded research program.
Design, lead and execute translational studies in immune-effector cell therapy (e.g., CAR constructs, BiTEs, “armored” cells, logic-gated circuits) that enable generation of patentable IEC intellectual property.
Recruit additional faculty to expand research within the IEC program.
Design and oversee in vitro functional assays (killing, cytokine profiling, spectral flow, scRNA-seq/CITE-seq) and in vivo preclinical efficacy/toxicity models.
Collaborate with KUCC’s cGMP manufacturing, the Institute for Advancing Medical Innovation (IAMI), Clinical Trials Office, Pathology, and Biostatistics to advance First-in-Human, enabling investigational new drug submissions to FDA and lead/participate in IEC early phase clinical trials.
Develop and validate analytical/quality assays (potency, identity, vector copy number, sterility/mycoplasma, off-target/tropism assessments).
Contribute to the preparation of regulatory documentation (IACUC/IRB, Biosafety, IND/IDE modules), study protocols, and clinical correlative science plans.
Mentor trainees (graduate students, residents, postdocs and fellows) as well as junior faculty and coordinate cross-functional project teams.
Disseminate results via manuscripts, conference abstracts, and grant applications (NIH, LLS, foundations).