Scientist I - Immuno-Oncology & Microtumor Systems

• Model Engineering & Co-Culture Development: Formulates experimental protocols to engineer adaptable, immune-inclusive microtumor co-cultures utilizing controlled perfusion. Integrates autologous T cells, B cells, NK cells, and diverse myeloid populations (including macrophages).
• Develop models to test the efficacy of immunotherapies in organoid culture system and compare to real-world data.
• Develop algorithms working with bioinformatics to predict therapeutic efficacy in solid cancers.
• Advanced Immunophenotyping & Data Analysis: Processes and interprets high-resolution experimental data. Utilizes flow cytometry, mass cytometry (CyTOF), and single-cell transcriptomics (scRNA-seq) to resolve cellular activation, macrophage polarization, and exhaustion trajectories.
• Functional & Functional Kinetic Assays: Conducts longitudinal live-cell imaging, spatial cytokine profiling, and high-throughput tumor-killing assays to quantify immune cell trafficking, tumor infiltration, and antigen-specific cytotoxicity.
• Clinical Benchmarking & Validation: Maintained detailed documentation to benchmark immune-microtumor responses against patient-matched clinical outcome data, rigorously validating the model's predictive value.
• Laboratory Leadership: Trains and supervises laboratory technicians, ensures documentation fulfills industry standards, and maintains detailed workbooks.
• Communication & Funding: Prepares high-quality written reports, presentations, and manuscripts for scientific journals. Coordinates and contributes to new grant and funding applications supporting project priorities.
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for role.

Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking a highly motivated Scientist I to develop and conduct research projects for the Immune-Integrated Microtumors to Assess Immunotherapeutic Efficacy project. This role focuses on building next-generation microtumor systems that faithfully capture complex tumor-immune microenvironments, overcoming the limitations of conventional organoids. The Scientist I will investigate the feasibility of applying cutting-edge engineering and immunological concepts to model therapeutic interventions (such as CAR T cells and checkpoint blockades) in both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors (including endometrial cancer).

This position will be in support of the John P. Murtha Cancer Center located at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Bethesda, Maryland. This position will support Dr. Geeta Upadhyay, Scientific Director of the Clinical Breast Care Project (CBCP) at the CBCP labs at the Uniformed Services University Health Sciences (USUHS) campus 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD.

The Murtha Cancer Center is a modern, patient-centric, tri-service military healthcare facility. Its comprehensive core of military and civilian oncologists and other cancer-trained clinicians and researchers provide multidisciplinary cancer-care delivery and patient-family support services. Our Cancer Center, the only DoW Cancer Center of Excellence within the Military Health System, offers its patients access to cutting-edge cancer diagnostic and treatment technologies.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.