Postdoctoral Scientist – Cancer Immunology and Tumor Microenvironment

McGaha Lab, Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Dr. Tracy McGaha is recruiting a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scientist to join the McGaha Lab at Cedars-Sinai. The laboratory investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate anti-tumor immunity, with a particular focus on tumor-associated and tissue-resident macrophages, interactions between innate and adaptive immune cells, and the metabolic and microenvironmental signals that drive immune suppression in cancer.

A major focus of the laboratory is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), an aggressive cancer in which the immune microenvironment contributes substantially to disease progression and resistance to therapy. Current research examines how macrophage function is shaped by the tumor microenvironment, metabolism, hypoxia, microbiome-derived signals, and interactions with T cells, with the broader goal of identifying mechanisms that can be therapeutically targeted to improve anti-tumor immunity.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop a rigorous mechanistic research program within this broader area and to work across complementary experimental approaches. Projects may incorporate in vivo tumor models, cellular and molecular immunology, flow cytometry, primary tissue, tumor–immune cell interactions, transcriptomic and single-cell approaches, and other emerging methods appropriate to the scientific question.

We welcome applicants from immunology, cancer biology, molecular and cell biology, tumor biology, metabolism, microbiome research, systems biology, and related disciplines. Prior experience in pancreatic cancer or tumor immunology is valuable but is not required for an outstanding candidate with strong experimental training and an interest in entering the field.

This position is particularly suited to a scientist who wants to pursue fundamental questions in cancer immunology in a highly translational environment. The Postdoctoral Scientist will work closely with Dr. McGaha in experimental design, data analysis, manuscript preparation, scientific presentations, and the development of increasing scientific independence during the postdoctoral period.