Job Description

Case Western Reserve University, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scholar to join the laboratory of Dr. James Basilion and Dr. Xinning Wang for one year (renewable for a second year). This position is supported by an NIH-funded R01 research program investigating photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT)–induced anti-tumor immune responses in breast cancer.

The research focuses on the development and mechanistic evaluation of theranostic, tumor-targeted optical agents that integrate image-guided surgery with PDT/PTT to eradicate residual disease and stimulate durable systemic anti-tumor immunity. The successful candidate will lead immunological studies defining how PDT and PTT reshape the tumor microenvironment, promote immunogenic cell death, and activate innate and adaptive immune responses.

This position provides advanced training at the interface of tumor immunology, optical therapeutics, and translational cancer biology within a highly collaborative research environment.

Responsibilities and Duties

The Postdoctoral Scholar will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Design and perform in vivo immunology studies assessing immune responses following PDT and PTT in immunocompetent murine breast cancer models.
2. Investigate PDT/PTT-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD), including evaluation of tumor necrosis, apoptosis, and antigen release.
3. Characterize changes in the tumor immune microenvironment, including:

• Tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) polarization (M1 vs. M2)

• Myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) depletion or reprogramming

• CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell infiltration, activation, and memory formation

1. Perform multi-parameter flow cytometry on tumor, spleen, lymph node, and blood samples.
2. Conduct immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence to evaluate immune cell localization and therapy-induced tissue remodeling.
3. Evaluate systemic immune effects of localized PDT/PTT, including immune memory and tumor re-challenge experiments.
4. Investigate combination treatment strategies with immune-modulating agents such as myeloid cell depletion or immune checkpoint blockade.
5. Collaborate with investigators in molecular imaging, surgical oncology, and cancer therapeutics.
6. Analyze data, prepare figures, and contribute to manuscript and grant writing.
7. Assist with mentoring graduate students and research staff as appropriate.
   

Compensation and Benefits

In compliance with the City of Cleveland’s Pay Transparency Ordinance (effective October 27, 2025), the annual starting base salary range for this position is $55,000 - $63,480. CWRU considers factors such as (but not limited to) the specific grant funding and the terms of the research grant when extending an offer. Postdocs receive individual and family healthcare benefits, life insurance, and employee assistance.

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applications requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216.368.3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or MD/PhD) in Immunology, Cancer Biology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong background in tumor immunology or cancer immunotherapy with at least 1 year post graduation experience.
• Demonstrated experience using in vivo mouse models of cancer.
• Hands-on expertise in flow cytometry and immune cell phenotyping.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), radiation therapy, or other ablative cancer therapies.
• Familiarity with immunogenic cell death pathways, danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and therapy-induced inflammation.
• Experience with myeloid cell biology, including TAMs and/or MDSCs.
• Knowledge of immune memory, tumor re-challenge models, or combination immunotherapy approaches.
• Proficiency with FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, R, or similar data analysis tools.

Application Instructions

How to Apply

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Review of applications will begin no earlier than five (5) days after the job announcement is posted.

Applicants should submit the following materials:

• Curriculum vitae
• Cover letter describing relevant experience and research interests related to PDT/PTT or tumor immunology
• Examples of published work
• Contact information for three professional references

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement:

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity by phone at 216.368.3066 or by email at equity@case.edu Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.