Post Doctoral Fellow - Tumor Microenvironment & Immune Regulation

Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH; Ridgefield (CT); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Boehringer Ingelheim in Ridgefield, CT seeks a Postdoctoral Fellow to advance our tumor immune regulation portfolio. You will design independent projects, build advanced human tumor models, and work with a multidisciplinary team to uncover mechanisms of immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment.

You will develop ex-vivo platforms, employ CRISPR-based approaches, and aim for publications and potential patents.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in tumor immunology, cancer biology, immunology, or related field with up to 3 years postdoctoral experience.
• Strong publication record demonstrating independence, creativity, and innovation.
• Deep knowledge of tumor microenvironment biology and anti-tumor immunity.
• Experience with tumor-immune cell co-cultures and advanced systems (3D or ex-vivo).
• Experience with genetic perturbation techniques including CRISPR-based approaches.
• Ability to design, optimize, and execute complex research projects and workflows.
• Experience with multi-omics, high-content imaging, or spatial biology workflows is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct independent research on immune suppression in human tumors.
• Develop multicellular co-culture systems with primary immune cells and tumor cells.
• Establish ex-vivo tumor models from patient materials and tissue platforms.
• Apply CRISPR-based perturbation to interrogate suppressive pathways.
• Integrate multidimensional readouts to characterize immune suppression mechanisms.
• Collaborate with researchers inside and outside Boehringer Ingelheim.
• Publish first-author papers and contribute to patents as applicable.

Skills

Tumor immunology

Immunology

Scientific independence

Publications

Education

Ph.D. in tumor immunology or related field

Tools

CRISPR-based approaches

3D/ex-vivo models

Job description

Description

As an employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, you will actively contribute to the discovery, development, and delivery of our products to our patients and customers. Our global presence provides an opportunity for all employees to collaborate internationally, offering visibility and the opportunity to directly contribute to the company's success. We realize that our strength and competitive advantage lie with our people. We support our employees in several ways to foster a healthy working environment, meaningful work, mobility, networking, and work-life balance. Our competitive compensation and benefit programs reflect Boehringer Ingelheim's high regard for our employees.
Boehringer Ingelheim is seeking an enthusiastic, creative, and highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join the Tumor Immune Regulation Group in the Immune Regulation Department at our US headquarters in Ridgefield, CT. The Ridgefield campus, along with our sister sites in Texas and California, includes a thriving community of postdocs and PhD students that connects globally with their peers on our European campuses. The main responsibility of this position is to develop next‑generation human tumor ecosystem models for mechanistic dissection of immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment.

Despite major advances in cancer immunotherapy, most patients do not achieve durable responses because complex suppressive mechanisms operate within the tumor microenvironment. Myeloid, stromal, tumor, and lymphoid cells cooperate to establish suppressive niches that impair anti‑tumor immunity and promote therapeutic resistance. Current experimental systems often do not adequately reproduce the cellular complexity, spatial organization, and dynamic interactions found in human tumors. This project will establish and apply innovative human‑relevant in‑vitro and ex‑vivo platforms to investigate suppressive tumor microenvironment biology and identify strategies to restore anti‑tumor immunity.
As a Postdoctoral Fellow, you will be responsible for conducting independent research under the direct guidance of an experienced Principal Investigator and further supported by a team of experts committed to your success. You will interact with a diverse range of individuals (including mentors, fellow researchers, students, and collaborators from various institutions), and help to foster a collaborative research environment that facilitates exchange of knowledge and ideas. Your research will be focused on fundamental scientific questions and new methodologies that align with the goals of the department and contribute to Boehringer‑Ingelheim’s innovative and growing pipeline. You will be expected to present your work to internal leadership and, ultimately, publish your findings in leading journals within the field. Postdoctoral Fellowships are three‑year positions, with a potential one‑year extension.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Design and conduct their own independent research project focused on mechanisms of immune suppression in human tumors.
• Develop advanced multicellular co‑culture systems incorporating primary human immune cells, tumor‑derived cells, and stromal components.
• Establish ex‑vivo tumor models using patient‑derived materials and human‑relevant tissue platforms.
• Apply genetic perturbation technologies, including CRISPR‑based approaches, to interrogate suppressive pathways.
• Integrate high‑content phenotypic, functional, multi‑omic, and spatial readouts to characterize immune suppressive mechanisms.
• Identify and mechanistically validate pathways controlling myeloid‑mediated and tumor‑intrinsic immune suppression.
• Generate reusable assay platforms and experimental workflows applicable to translational immuno‑oncology research.
• Collaborate with other researchers within and outside Boehringer Ingelheim.
• Effectively communicate and defend their own work in the context of team and department goals, both orally and in writing.
• Establish an international reputation in your area of expertise with publications and conference participation at national and international events.
• Publish first‑author manuscript(s) and/or patenting of novel technologies/processes.

Requirements

• Ph.D. degree in tumor immunology, cancer biology, immunology, or in arelated discipline, with a preference of no more than three (3) years of previous Post Doctoral experience.
• Strong publication record demonstrating scientific independence, creativity, and innovation.
• Deep knowledge of suppressive tumor microenvironment biology and anti‑tumor immunity.
• Hands‑on experience with tumor‑immune cell co‑cultures and advanced experimental systems, including 3D or ex‑vivo models.
• Hands‑on experience with genetic perturbation techniques, including CRISPR‑based approaches.
• Ability to independently design, optimize, and execute complex research projects and experimental workflows.
• Experience with quantitative data analysis and interpretation of multidimensional datasets.
• Experience with multi‑omics, high‑content imaging, or spatial biology workflows is preferred.
• Ability to think strategically and tactically, leverage emerging technologies, and solve complex scientific problems.
• Exceptional scientific writing, presentation, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to comply with all applicable regulations, perform work safely, and maintain records in accordance with SOPs and policies.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.
• Must be willing to take a drug test and post‑offer physical (if required).
• Must be 18 years of age or older.

Compensation Data

This position offers a base salary of $80,000.00 USD. For an overview of our benefits please click here. The position may be eligible for a role specific discretionary bonus, relocation, and/or other compensation elements. We continuously review market data and may adjust salary ranges as needed in the future. Actual compensation will be based on job‑related factors such as skills, experience, and qualifications, and other factors permitted by law.