Assistant/Associate Research Professor in Medicine - Hematology/Oncology

Posting Details

Position Details

Title Assistant/Associate Research Professor in Medicine - Hematology/Oncology Specific Title Appointment Type Scientist Track Faculty Department IUSM - Medicine - Hematology/Oncology Campus IU School of Medicine Indianapolis Position Summary

The Indiana University School of Medicine and the IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center seek a highly motivated Research Assistant Professor to join the HEAL Laboratory. The successful candidate will contribute to a dynamic translational research program focused on the mechanisms of head and neck cancer progression, immunotherapy response and resistance, tumor immunology, and the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

This non-tenure track faculty position provides an opportunity to conduct innovative laboratory-based and translational research within a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. The successful applicant will be expected to develop an independent area of investigation that complements ongoing laboratory efforts while contributing to collaborative projects and external grant funding initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct translational and laboratory-based research focused on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and related malignancies.
• Investigate mechanisms of immune evasion, treatment resistance, and therapeutic response in preclinical models.
• Design, execute, analyze, and publish high-impact research studies.
• Develop and maintain patient-derived and primary cell culture models.
• Perform and oversee immunologic and cellular assays, including immune cell functional analyses and cytotoxicity assays.
• Design and conduct in vivo studies using murine tumor models in compliance with institutional animal care regulations.
• Utilize advanced flow cytometry approaches for immune profiling and mechanistic studies.
• Collaborate with clinical and basic science investigators across Indiana University and the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.
• Mentor graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, and trainees.
• Prepare and submit grant applications, including federal, foundation, and industry-sponsored funding opportunities.
• Contribute to manuscript preparation, laboratory management, and scientific presentations at national and international meetings.

Expectations for Success

The ideal candidate will be an innovative and collaborative scientist with a strong interest in translating laboratory discoveries into improved treatments for patients with head and neck cancers. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to developing externally funded research programs and be prepared to lead grant-writing efforts within the first year of appointment. The successful applicant will be expected to contribute substantially to the growth of the HEAL Lab by generating novel scientific insights, fostering collaborations, and helping secure sustainable research funding.

This position is intended for an individual seeking to establish an independent, extramurally funded research program. The successful candidate will be expected to pursue career development and independent funding mechanisms, including NIH K-series awards, R21, R03, and R01 grants, Department of Defense funding opportunities, American Cancer Society grants, and other foundation-supported research awards, with the goal of achieving long-term research independence and national recognition in the field of cancer biology and immunotherapy.

Academic Environment

The HEAL Laboratory is embedded within the Indiana University School of Medicine and the IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, providing access to outstanding core facilities, including flow cytometry, genomics, biostatistics, animal modeling, and translational research resources. The laboratory maintains strong collaborations among clinicians, translational investigators, and basic scientists with a shared mission of improving outcomes for patients with head and neck cancers.

IU School of Medicine is committed to being a welcoming campus community and we seek candidates whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments for all students, staff, and faculty. We invite individuals who will join us in our mission to improve health equity and well-being for all throughout the state of Indiana.

Indianapolis is the capital and most populous city in the State of Indiana. It is growing economically thanks to a strong corporate base anchored by the life sciences. Indiana is home to one of the nation's largest concentrations of health sciences companies. Indianapolis has a sophisticated blend of charm and culture with a wonderful balance of business and leisure. The growing residential base is supported by rich amenities and quality of life - the city possesses a variety of professional sports, arts venues, and outdoor recreation areas. Residents of this dynamic city and surrounding suburbs enjoy leading educational systems and top-ranked universities paired with a diverse population. Indianapolis International Airport is a top-ranked international airport that has been named "Best Airport in North America" by Airports Council International for many years. For additional information on life in Indy: https://faculty.medicine.iu.edu/relocation.

The search committee will begin evaluating applications as they are received, and applications will continue to be reviewed until this position is filled.

Basic Qualifications

Required

• PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree in Immunology, Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Experimental Therapeutics, or a related discipline.
• Postdoctoral experience with evidence of scientific productivity.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture techniques, including primary cell cultures.
• Experience with immunologic assays and cellular functional studies.
• Experience with flow cytometry data acquisition and analysis.
• Experience with animal models of cancer.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design experiments, analyze data, and communicate scientific findings.

Preferred

• Research experience in head and neck cancer, solid tumor immunology, or cancer therapeutics.
• Expertise in immunotherapy, tumor microenvironment biology, or mechanisms of therapy resistance.
• Experience with multi-parameter and/or spectral flow cytometry, immune phenotyping, and functional immune assays.
• Experience performing cytotoxicity assays involving T-cell, NK-cell, or other immune effector cell populations.
• Knowledge of molecular biology techniques such as transgenic expression/repression, DNA vector construction and cloning, qPCR, Western blotting, CRISPR-based approaches, next-generation sequencing, or spatial/transcriptomic analyses.
• Prior participation in scientific meeting (poster, oral presentation)
• Prior participation in grant writing and extramural funding applications.
• Evidence of developing an independent research program. Demonstrated commitment to pursuing independent research funding and building a sustainable translational research program is highly desirable.

Department Contact for Questions

Sabrina Hetzel (HR contact) at snwall@iu.edu

Additional Qualifications Special Instructions Priority Application Review Deadline Expected Start Date Posting Number IUSM-02553-2026

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • How did you hear about this position?

• Personal Contact: At Professional Meeting or Conference

• Personal Contact: Direct Contact by Search Committee

• Personal Contact: Referred by colleague or advisor

• Personal Contact: School of Medicine recruiter

• Personal Contact: IUHP Physician Recruiter

• Announcement: Other Journal or Magazine

• Announcement: Other Website

• • Are you a dual career partner (your partner or spouse is already being recruited)?

• Yes

• No

• Have you previously been employed with IU?

• Yes

• No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae
• List Of References

Optional Documents

• Letter of Application