Postdoctoral Scientist – Cancer Immunology and Tumor Microenvironment

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center • Los Angeles, CA

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About The Position

The McGaha Lab in the Department of Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is recruiting a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scientist. The lab investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating anti-tumor immunity, with emphasis on tumor-associated and tissue-resident macrophages, interactions between innate and adaptive immune cells, and metabolic and microenvironmental signals that drive immune suppression in cancer. A major focus is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), where the immune microenvironment contributes to disease progression and treatment resistance.

Research examines how macrophage function is shaped by the tumor microenvironment, metabolism, hypoxia, microbiome-derived signals, and interactions with T cells, with the broader goal of identifying therapeutic targets that improve anti-tumor immunity. The successful candidate will develop a rigorous mechanistic research program and may use in vivo tumor models, cellular and molecular immunology, flow cytometry, primary tissue, tumor–immune cell interaction studies, transcriptomic and single-cell approaches, and other methods suited to the research question.

The Postdoctoral Scientist will work closely with Dr. McGaha on experimental design, data analysis, manuscript preparation, scientific presentations, and developing increasing scientific independence during the postdoctoral period. The position is suited to a scientist interested in fundamental questions in cancer immunology in a highly translational environment. Applicants from immunology, cancer biology, molecular and cell biology, tumor biology, metabolism, microbiome research, systems biology, and related fields are welcome. Prior pancreatic cancer or tumor immunology experience is valuable but not required for a strong candidate with experimental training and interest in entering the field.

Requirements

• PhD, MD, VMD, DDS, or equivalent doctoral degree in immunology, cancer biology, cell biology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences, or a related field.
• Strong record of experimental research.
• Demonstrated ability to design experiments, analyze data, interpret results, and communicate scientific findings.
• Evidence of scientific productivity appropriate to career stage.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in cancer immunology or tumor microenvironment biology.
• Experience in macrophage or myeloid-cell biology.
• Experience in T-cell biology.
• Experience in pancreatic cancer or other solid tumors.
• Experience with mouse models of cancer or immune disease.
• Experience with flow cytometry and immune phenotyping.
• Experience in tumor metabolism or immunometabolism.
• Experience with microbiome–immune interactions.
• Experience with single-cell, transcriptomic, spatial, or other high-dimensional approaches.
• Experience with organoid, primary-tissue, or tumor–immune co-culture systems.
• Experience applying quantitative or computational approaches to biological questions.
• Prior experience in pancreatic cancer or tumor immunology.
• Strong background in an adjacent field and interest in applying that expertise to cancer immunology.

Responsibilities

• Develop a rigorous mechanistic research program in cancer immunology within the lab’s broader research area.
• Conduct research using approaches appropriate to the scientific question, potentially including in vivo tumor models, cellular and molecular immunology, flow cytometry, primary tissue, tumor–immune cell interactions, transcriptomic and single-cell approaches, and other emerging methods.
• Work with Dr. McGaha on experimental design and data analysis.
• Prepare manuscripts and scientific presentations.
• Develop increasing scientific independence during the postdoctoral period.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree