Post Doctoral Research Fellow- Biostatistics and Spatial Transcriptomics

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; New York (NY); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) invites applications for a PhD-level Computational Scientist to lead cutting-edge translational cancer research. The role merges rigorous statistics with single-cell and spatial omics, guiding the tumor immune microenvironment analysis and enabling clinical translation in surgical oncology.

You will collaborate with computational biologists, statisticians, and surgeons to develop novel methodologies, apply them to hs-scRNA/Spatial data, and contribute

Qualifications

• PhD in Biostatistics, Statistics, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, or related quantitative field.
• Experience analyzing paired single-cell RNA-seq and V(D)J/TCR sequencing datasets.
• Ability to translate complex mathematical theory to clinical interpretation.
• Outstanding communication and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop, refine, and apply statistical methods for high-dimensional spatial omics and single-cell data.
• Map tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and identify niche architectures.
• Collaborate with computational biologists, statisticians, and surgeons to translate findings.
• Provide expert guidance on study design, power calculations, and grant support.

Skills

Single-cell analysis

Spatial omics

Python & R

Biostatistics

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Biostatistics or related field

Tools

Imaging Mass Cytometry (IMC)

10x Genomics Xenium

NanoString CosMx

10x Genomics Visium

Seurat

Giotto

Bioconductor

Job description

About Us:

The people of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) are united by a singular mission: ending cancer for life. Our specialized care teams provide personalized, compassionate, expert care to patients of all ages. Informed by basic research done at our Sloan Kettering Institute, scientists across MSK collaborate to conduct innovative translational and clinical research that is driving a revolution in our understanding of cancer as a disease and improving the ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat it. MSK is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and clinicians, who go on to pursueour missionat MSK and around the globe.

Exciting Opportunity at MSK: Computational Scientist

• The Adusumilli Lab, in close collaboration with the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, is seeking a highly motivated and talented PhD-level Computational Scientist to drive cutting-edge translational cancer research.
• This unique joint role sits at the intersection of rigorous statistical methodology, advanced single-cell/spatial omics, and clinical translation in surgical oncology.
• You will develop and apply innovative statistical frameworks to map the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), decode multi-cellular architectural niches, and collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team of computational biologists, statisticians, and surgeons.

Key Requirements

• Education: PhD in Biostatistics, Statistics, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, or a closely related quantitative field with strong core statistical training.
• Technical Expertise:
  • Proven track record in analyzing and modeling single-cell and high-plex spatial profiling data.
  • Direct experience processing data from multiplexed imaging or sequencing-based spatial platforms (e.g., Imaging Mass Cytometry (IMC), 10x Genomics Xenium, NanoString CosMx, and/or 10x Genomics Visium).
  • Advanced proficiency in Python and/or R programming and expert-level familiarity with single-cell and spatial ecosystems, specifically Seurat, Giotto, and relevant Bioconductor packages.
  • Strong foundation in spatial statistics, including spatial autocorrelation, cell deconvolution algorithms, and distance-based neighborhood modeling.
• Experience:
  • Demonstrated experience working with paired single-cell RNA-seq and V(D)J/TCR sequencing datasets.
  • Experience analyzing translational data involving tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), immunophenotyping markers, and clinical-pathological correlation.
  • Ability to bridge the gap between complex mathematical/algorithmic theory and practical clinical interpretation.
• Soft Skills: Outstanding communication skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams of clinicians, statisticians, and computational biologists.

Core Skills

• Methodological & Pipeline Development: Develop, scale, and implement novel statistical methods and machine learning frameworks tailored for high-dimensional spatial omics and single-cell landscapes. This includes building pipelines for multiplexed spatial imaging data and paired single-cell multi-omics.
• Spatial Architecture & Niche Profiling: Implement advanced spatial point pattern analysis, cell-cell interaction modeling, and neighborhood/niche identification to map cell-to-cell spatial proximity and architectural differences within the tumor microenvironment across distinct clinical cohorts.
• Immunophenotyping & Clinical Association: Design analytical strategies to model the landscape of the immune microenvironment (e.g., PD-L1 expression patterns, tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte densities) and statistically associate these spatial phenotypes with clinical outcomes.
• Study Design: Provide expert statistical guidance on study design, sample size estimation, and power calculations for translational protocols and grant proposals (NIH/NCI).

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, as well as the opportunity to work in a highly collaborative and innovative environment.

Pay Range: $72,000 – $87,564

Based on PGY*

Helpful links:

• MSK Compensation Philosophy

• Review Our Great Benefits Offerings

Closing:

MSK is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruiting and employment. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran status or any other factor which cannot lawfully be used as a basis for an employment decision.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.