Postdoctoral Fellow: mRNA Modifications and Therapeutics

The Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow position in the Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression in Bethesda, Maryland. The successful candidate will be trained under the leadership of Shalini Oberdoerffer, Ph.D.

The Oberdoerffer laboratory studies how RNA modifications regulate translation, with a focus on N4-acetylcytidine (ac⁴C), and how these principles can be harnessed to improve mRNA-based therapies. Our recent work (Schiffers et al., Nature, 2026) established elongation rate as a key determinant of how modifications shape the yield and fidelity of protein synthesis from synthetic mRNAs. Building on these findings, we are defining how modification chemistry and codon sequence together shape elongation kinetics, with the goal of designing safer and more effective mRNA therapeutics. The laboratory also collaborates with CCR clinical investigators to apply these advances in cancer settings.

We seek a highly motivated candidate interested in the mechanisms linking RNA chemistry to translation and their application to therapeutic design. Approaches include mRNA synthesis and delivery, quantitative translation assays, RNA sequencing, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, and imaging. Candidates with backgrounds in RNA biology, translation, molecular or cell biology, nucleic acid chemistry, immunology, or related fields are encouraged to apply. Prior experience with synthetic mRNA is not required.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent doctoral degree and have no more than two years of postdoctoral experience. The anticipated start date is flexible.

The Center for Cancer Research is the intramural research component of the NCI. CCR’s enabling infrastructure supports highly collaborative laboratory and clinically based research and provides access to the NIH Clinical Center and extensive scientific resources, including genomics, proteomics, imaging, flow cytometry, animal models, and computational biology. For more information, visit https://ccr.cancer.gov/about and https://ccr.cancer.gov/staff-directory/shalini-oberdoerffer.

Interested individuals should send a curriculum vitae and bibliography, a cover letter describing research accomplishments and interest in the laboratory, and the names and contact information of three references to:

Dr. Shalini Oberdoerffer
Senior Investigator
Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression
National Cancer Institute
E-mail: shalini.oberdoerffer@nih.gov

Review of applications will begin 11/2/26 and continue until the position is filled.

DHHS, NIH and NCI are equal opportunity employers.