Overview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world's deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. These values are grounded in and expressed through the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an anti-racist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, anti-racism and inclusion.

The Lampe lab at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have an opening for a postdoctoral fellow interested in translating autoantibodies produced by B lymphocytes into tumor diagnostic and therapeutic agents. Our lab integrates state-of-the-art methods from biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, and immunology to isolate tumor-specific autoantibodies directly from cancer patients.

A major focus of our work is to study how B cells and the autoantibodies they produce recognize and target tumor antigens. We've demonstrated tumor-specific autoantibodies can be excellent biomarkers of lung tumorigenesis and can be detected prior to diagnosis (see our recent publications in AJCCRM 2019, JNM 2022, Cancers 2023 and STM 2023, PUBMED#'s 30422669, 35483965, 37444527, 36630482). Using our unique approach of capturing autoantibodies bound to their native tumor derived epitopes ex vivo, we've shown tumor-specific autoantibodies target posttranslational modifications with high specificity. With this knowledge, we've isolated posttranslational tumor-specific B cells directly from patients. Our goal is to translate these findings into antibody-based theranostic applications.

Responsibilities

Depending on a fellow's interests, we have projects in lung cancer early detection assays, immunoPET imaging, chimeric antigen receptor T cells, and antibody drug conjugates. Most of our work is completed using highly sought cohorts of human samples, but we also utilize patient-derived xenografts, xenografts and genetically engineered mouse models. Other techniques include immunofluorescence microscopy, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, molecular engineering, flow cytometry and microarray piezoelectric printing.

Fellows will be involved all aspects of research, from experimental design to manuscript preparation and publication. A successful candidate must have excellent communication and organizational skills, the ability to develop creative approaches to experimental design, and thrive both in independent and collaborative research. Our lab is committed to maintaining a supportive and inclusive environment and are searching for highly motivated fellows who fit this ethos. In terms of career development, our autoantibody platform is widely applicable to diseases including cancer, autoimmunity, and infectious diseases. Previous lab fellows have gone into both industry and academia highlighting a strength of the translational lab. Please provide a cover letter explaining why you would like to join and fit the lab.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A recent Ph.D. in a relevant field
• Knowledge and experience in cancer biology, biochemistry, and/or immunology
• Track record of productive research
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

The annual base salary range for this position is from $77,976 to $150,000 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, income-based child care subsidy, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (22 days per year), paid sick leave (up to 30 calendar days per occurrence of a qualifying reason), paid holidays (13 days per year), and paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).

Our Commitment to Diversity