The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School seeks an experienced and motivated post-doctoral research fellow to work dissecting the molecular mechanisms leading to the development of Chronic Lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the most common adult leukemia of mature B lymphocytes. This position will be working on projects in the CLL Center led by Dr. Jennifer Brown but will be working closely with Dr. Paolo Ghia’s group for training and techniques.   

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

The CLL center is known for its fundamental contributions to the development of innovative therapies for CLL, specifically designed to tackle key pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease, at the crossroads between immunology and hematology. CLL cells remain greatly dependent on microenvironmental signals originating from the surrounding microenvironment. Onset and progression of the disease occurs following the interplay between rare genetic aberrations and microenvironmental signals. The successful candidate will be involved in a project focused on dissecting the cellular and molecular interactions occurring in the different phases of CLL, focusing in particular on the role played by the B cell antigen receptor (BcR - immunoglobulin) and related signaling pathways, in the evolution of the disease from the initial stages to relapsed refractory disease. To this aim, the ideal candidate will characterize the immune repertoire expressed by the leukemic cells and identify pathways and molecules preferentially activated through the BcR that might be relevant to leukemia progression and that can potentially be used as diagnostic markers, prognostic factors or new potential therapeutic targets. Research methodology is based on the integration of experimental results obtained from the study of normal and neoplastic B lymphocytes, using molecular biology techniques including next generation sequencing. 

The ideal candidate will have a PhD, MD/PhD or doctoral equivalent and should be highly motivated, enthusiastic, and capable of working independently though in close collaboration with the rest of the research team. Previous experience will be privileged. Computational skills will be a plus as well as cellular expertise, including multicolor flow cytometry.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong.  As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff.  Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other groups as protected by law.