The Laboratory for Cancer Immunology led by Dr. Chozha Rathinam at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, is seeking highly motivated candidates for NIH-funded Postdoctoral Fellow positions. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary research team investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms that promote cancer development during chronic HIV infection and inflammation, with the goal of identifying novel therapeutic strategies.

Research Areas

Current projects in the laboratory focus on:
• Mechanisms of cancer-associated inflammation and immune dysregulation
• Development of novel immunotherapies for solid tumors
• HIV-induced dysfunction of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
• Molecular pathways driving HIV-associated malignancies
• Tumor–immune cell interactions within the tumor microenvironment

Qualifications

Applicants must have a Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Immunology, Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Virology, or a related discipline, preferably obtained within the past three years.

The ideal candidate will:
• Demonstrate a strong publication record and scientific productivity
• Possess excellent written and oral communication skills
• Be capable of working independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative research environment
• Be highly motivated to pursue innovative, hypothesis-driven research

Experience in one or more of the following areas is desirable:
• Multicolor flow cytometry and immune profiling
• Isolation and characterization of cells from solid tissues
• Human hematopoietic stem cell and immune cell culture
• Bone marrow transplantation and hematopoietic reconstitution studies
• Mouse models of cancer and immunology
• Humanized mouse models
• Molecular and cellular biology techniques, including Western blotting, RT-qPCR, ELISA, and confocal microscopy
• Bioinformatics, single-cell technologies, or spatial biology approaches (preferred but not required)

Research Environment

The University of Maryland School of Medicine provides a highly collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment with access to outstanding core facilities, including advanced flow cytometry, genomics, imaging, and animal research resources. Postdoctoral fellows will receive strong mentorship, opportunities for career development, and support for presenting their work at national and international scientific conferences.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following to Dr. Chozha Rathinam (crathinam@som.umaryland.edu):
• A cover letter describing research interests and career goals
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Contact information for three professional references

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.

The University of Maryland School of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Research Group Website: https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/profiles/Chozha-Rathinam/