J231302
Mentor: Dr. Lewis Zhichang, Department of Radiation Oncology
CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY RESEARCH
Postdoctoral Scientist
Radiation Oncology Tumor Immunology Laboratory
Department of Radiation Oncology and O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center,
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
Faculty Member: Lewis Zhichang Shi, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Departments of Radiation Oncology, Microbiology, and Pharmacology & Toxicology; Program in Immunology.
Scientist, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center and Center for Clinical and Translational Science, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233
Job Description: Postdoctoral Scholarships are available to study the underlying mechanisms for cancer immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint blockade (ICBs) such as anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1/-L1). We are also interested in identifying new targets for cancer interventions that can be combined with ICBs and adoptive T cell therapy. Our recent work revealed tumor cell-intrinsic (Nat Comms, 2022; Cell, 2016) and –extrinsic (Nat Med, 2017) resistant mechanisms, as well as T cell-intrinsic pathways underlying ICBs (Nat Comms, 2016; Cancer Immunol Res, 2019). Another line of research in the lab is to understand how T cell development (PNAS, 2013 and 2017), activation (Immunity, 2011), and functional differentiation (Mol. Immunol, 2019;, J Exp Med, 2011) are transcriptionally and metabolically controlled. Given the PI’s primary appointment in the department of Radiation Oncology and our extensive working experiences in immunotherapy, we are uniquely positioned to explore immunological effects from radiation (Int J Mol Sci, 2021; Sci Trans Med, 2020; Genes&Diseases, 2019). Our experimental models include genetically-modified mice and disease models for various types of cancer, autoimmunity, infections, and inflammation. We are currently funded by NIH, DoD, Cancer Research Institute, Varian Medical System, and UAB O’Neal Invests grants. Below are links of recent media reports on our research:
https://www.uab.edu/news/research/item/13111-melanoma-treatment-potential-target-bypasses-therapeutic-resistance-to-immune-checkpoint-blockers
https://www.uab.edu/medicine/radonc/news-events/department-news/new-research-identifies-strategy-to-overcome-icb-resistance-in-melanoma-patients
https://cancercommunity.nature.com/posts/overcoming-immunotherapy-resistance-in-melanoma-defective-of-ifn-g-signaling?utm_source=like_mailer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=notify_author_of_like
Job Qualifications: Highly motivated recent Ph.D. with strong molecular biology and/or immunology skills are encouraged to apply.
Application Instructions: Please send a CV, including contact information for three references, to
UAB is currently ranked as the #1 Young U.S. University by Times Higher Education, and #1 U.S. University for Postdoctoral Fellows by The Scientist. It is ranked #20 of all U.S. institutions in annual NIH funding. UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of the nation’s leading cancer research and treatment centers, ranked at #25 in the US by US News for 2020-2021. It is one of the original eight cancer centers in the country that earned the prestigious National Cancer Institute “comprehensive” cancer center designation in 1971. UAB’s cancer services are routinely recognized as being among the nation’s best. UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation.
About our Postdoc Office
UAB is committed to the development and success of outstanding postdoctoral scientists. Here at UAB, nearly 300 postdoctoral fellows are training currently in a variety of disciplines. Competitive postdoc awards are available including internships, grant incentives, funds to enhance education and collaboration outside UAB, and teaching opportunities at local universities. There is also a Postdoc Research Day with monetary awards. The Office of Postdoctoral Education strongly encourages UAB research mentors to follow the National Research Service Award stipend level guidelines, and postdoctoral scholars qualify for health, life, and other insurances. They also have the right to participate in the university’s 403(b) program and enjoy vacation, sick leave, maternity/paternity leave, and other benefits.
About the University
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a research university and academic health center that discovers, teaches, and applies knowledge for the intellectual, cultural, social, and economic benefit of Birmingham, the state, and beyond. UAB is internationally renowned for its intensely collaborative culture that has — for more than five decades — produced breakthroughs in education, health care, research, and service. UAB was ranked #1 in the United States, and in the top 10 worldwide, in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2018 Young University Rankings.
Spanning more than 100 city blocks, UAB is the state of Alabama’s largest single employer with nearly 28,000 employees and has an annual, state-wide economic impact of $12.1 billion. U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 “America’s Best Graduate Schools” ranks 16 UAB graduate programs among the nation’s top 25 and eight UAB specialties were ranked among the nation’s top 50 in the magazine’s 2022-2023 Best Hospitals report. UAB research grants and awards are at a record high, totaling $715 million in FY22 — a 50% increase over the past five years. UAB ranks 33rd among all universities in federal research funding and 17th among public universities. UAB's NIH funding continues to grow among peer institutions in the Southeast and beyond, with the university ranking 25th among all universities in NIH funding and 11th among public universities.
UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and veteran’s status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB’s Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.
For more information on Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action at UAB, visit the UAB Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion opens a new website, call (205) 934-8762, or contact the office at 701 20th Street South, AB 336, Birmingham, AL 35294-0103.