The Tewari Lab within the Department of Internal Medicine is looking for a postdoctoral research fellow interested in exploring innate immunity mechanisms and the effect of different intervention strategies on the genesis and severity of cytokine release syndrome and other side effects resulting from innate immune activation during CAR T-cell therapy. This will involve the use of mouse model, human cell cultures, and immune profiling. This work is based in part on the findings of a recent publication from the lab on the role of NETosis in the development of CRS. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38266157/

The potential fellow will be a part of a multidisciplinary team, providing exposure to a wide variety of tools and domains in biomedical research, including: in-vitro cell and molecular studies, data science, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, and clinical and translational research. 

Candidates will be responsible for performing reading, thoughtful analysis and synthesis of the relevant literature, to explore current research on pathways and targets of interest. Candidates are also expected to lead and carry out detailed mouse model experiments, which is a major part of this role. Candidates will also be expected to carry out cell culture experiments, including generation and functional analysis of human CAR T-cells. 

Results from this project are anticipated to inform the design of a human clinical trial to prevent or mitigate the immune-related side effects of CAR-T cell therapies, to improve the well-being of cancer patients being treated with these revolutionary new therapies.

Potential candidates are expected to work independently under the direction of the PI in designing and conducting their own research experiments. Responsibilities include keeping up to date on current literature and providing thoughtful analysis and developing relevant new ideas from synthesis of literature and data in the lab, participating in highly inter-disciplinary lab meetings, keeping an up to date and detailed lab notebook, writing protocols and papers, as well as writing applications for postdoctoral fellowship grants and assisting with the development and writing of other grants. Opportunities for training and supervising students may exist, if of interest.

• Ph.D. in a field such as immunology, physiology, cancer biology, genetics, or other related fields. 
• Demonstrated record of strong publication and communication skills. 
• Understanding of the innate immune system
• Ability and willingness to be a part of the team and contribute to the lab and lab environment is a must. 
• Candidates should have experience with mouse husbandry and mouse experimentation
• Candidates should have competency with basic wet lab equipment: micropipettors, centrifuges, etc..

• Demonstrated interest and experience with cell culture and flow cytometry.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.