Postdoctoral Research Scientist

The Palomero Laboratory, led by Dr. Teresa Palomero (Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University), is a basic/translational research group investigating the molecular genetics and epigenetic mechanisms mediating malignant transformation in T-cell malignancies, including T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL), using human and murine models. Our small group is dynamic and collaborative, integrated by researchers with diverse backgrounds and expertise. For additional information and a list of publications, please visit our website: Palomero Lab.

Current open areas of research include genomic, transcriptomic and single-cell approaches towards identification of mechanisms of lymphoma and leukemia transformation; interactions between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment; mechanistic (genetic and biochemical) analyses of lymphoma oncogenes and tumor suppressors; and the identification and evaluation of experimental therapeutics targeting vulnerabilities in human mature T-cell malignancies.

The lab is located in the Irving Cancer Research Center on the Columbia University Irving Medical Center campus in Washington Heights, New York City, and has full access to Columbia's shared core facilities, including flow cytometry, single-cell genomics, molecular pathology and animal husbandry cores.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join our team studying the genetics and mechanisms of T-cell leukemia and lymphoma. The successful candidate will design and execute experiments using mouse models of T-cell malignancy, human patient sample analysis, and flow cytometry- and single-cell-based immune profiling, with a focus on tumor microenvironment interactions and the evaluation of experimental therapeutics, working closely with lab members and collaborators across the Institute for Cancer Genetics and the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center.

As a Postdoctoral Research Scientist, you will oversee the design and performance of experiments and directly contribute to the conceptual framework of the study. In addition, you will be encouraged to develop your own research ideas along the lines of the research interests of the lab. You will be expected to present your data at departmental seminars and scientific meetings. In addition, you will be requested to collaborate on other ongoing projects within the lab. This position offers a very competitive salary with benefits, supported by the Columbia University postdoctoral union.

Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and execute experiments using genetically engineered and/or xenograft mouse models of T-ALL and PTCL
• Process and analyze primary human patient samples (e.g., peripheral blood, bone marrow, tumor biopsies)
• Perform multi-parameter flow cytometry for immunophenotyping, cell sorting, and functional assays
• Design and analyze single-cell experiments (e.g., scRNA-seq, CITE-seq) to characterize tumor and immune cell populations
• Investigate interactions between tumor cells and the surrounding tumor microenvironment
• Evaluate experimental therapeutics in vitro and in vivo, including preclinical efficacy and mechanism-of-action studies
• Analyze, interpret, and present experimental data clearly to the PI and lab group
• Maintain detailed, accurate, and up-to-date laboratory and animal records
• Contribute to manuscript preparation, grant applications, and conference presentations
• Collaborate productively with other lab members, core facility staff, and outside collaborators
• Help train and mentor junior lab members (graduate students, technicians) as needed