Postdoctoral Fellow for Microbiome and Brain Tumor Research

CO2000 H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental & vision insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Parental leave

Relocation assistance

Job summary

The Morad Lab at Moffitt Cancer Center is recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow to conduct pioneering basic and translational research at the intersection of metastasis dormancy, neuro-oncology, and microbiome science. This role offers opportunities for high-impact discoveries within an integrated environment with access to state-of-the-art core facilities.

The ideal candidate will hold a PhD (or near completion) in cancer biology, microbiology, immunology, or related fields, with strong publication

Qualifications

• PhD, MD/PhD, or DDS/PhD in cancer biology, microbiology, immunology.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Record of peer‑reviewed publications and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Lead independent and collaborative research.
• Design and execute rigorous, hypothesis-driven experiments using in vitro, in vivo, and/or omics-based approaches to address key questions in cancer biology.
• Analyze, interpret, and present data in lab meetings, institutional seminars, and scientific conferences.
• Maintain accurate and organized research records and contribute to manuscript preparation, grant writing, and peer‑reviewed publications.
• Stay up to date with relevant scientific literature and bring innovative ideas and critical thinking to the lab’s research direction.
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external teams, including clinicians, bioinformaticians, and core facilities.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to scientific rigor and ethics, embrace teamwork, and contribute positively to the lab environment, and pursue continuous professional development.
• Participate in mentoring junior trainees and lab members when appropriate.

Skills

Metastasis biology

Tumor immunology

Microbiology

Microbiome research

Education

PhD, MD/PhD, or DDS/PhD in cancer biology, microbiology, immunology

Tools

FlowJo

GraphPad

R

Job description

Working at Moffitt is both a career and a mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. As the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida, Moffitt employs some of the best and brightest minds from around the world. Join a dedicated team of nearly 11,000 who are shaping the future we envision. Moffitt has been recognized as a Best and Brightest Company to Work For in the Nation and is continually named one of the Tampa Bay Times’ Top Workplaces.

Summary

The laboratory of Dr. Golnaz Morad at the H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center — an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and one of the nation’s top-ranked cancer research institutes — is recruiting a driven and scientifically ambitious Postdoctoral Fellow to conduct and contribute to cutting-edge basic and translational research at the intersection of metastasis dormancy, neuro-oncology, and microbiome research. The Morad lab is interested in understanding host-microbe interactions in the context of brain tumors, with a particular focus on brain metastasis and metastatic dormancy. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to engage in the novel and rapidly evolving field of Neuro-microbiome research, with ample opportunities for high-impact discoveries. The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, with active partnerships spanning multiple institutions, providing valuable opportunities to advance their scientific and collaborative skills and expand their scientific network.

Position Highlights:

• Well-funded research program with active federal grants, ensuring robust resources for ambitious science.
• Supportive and collaborative lab culture dedicated to your growth as a scientist.
• Dedicated support and training for grant applications and conference presentations, and preparation for independent academic or industry careers.
• Access to state-of-the-art core facilities and technologies to support basic and translational research.
• Unique opportunities for translational research within Moffitt’s integrated environment, where cutting-edge patient care and scientific discovery are deeply intertwined.
• Outstanding mentorship from expert faculty at the institution with wide-ranging funded research programs including T32 Training Grants.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Highly motivated to learn new concepts and techniques.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to conduct independent research and collaborate effectively.
• Committed to producing high-quality, high-impact research and contributing to publications and grant proposals.
• Foundational knowledge in one or more of the following: metastasis biology, tumor immunology, microbiology, and microbiome research.
• Hands‑on experience with preclinical mouse models (e.g., murine xenograft or transgenic models, colony management).
• Experience analyzing immunological datasets, such as flow cytometry data and multiplex cytokine assay, with working knowledge of standard analysis platforms (e.g., FlowJo, GraphPad, R) is a plus.
• Experience with microbiome research methodologies is a plus.

Responsibilities:

• Lead independent and collaborative research.
• Design and execute rigorous, hypothesis-driven experiments using in vitro, in vivo, and/or omics-based approaches to address key questions in cancer biology.
• Analyze, interpret, and present data in lab meetings, institutional seminars, and scientific conferences.
• Maintain accurate and organized research records and contribute to manuscript preparation, grant writing, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Stay up to date with relevant scientific literature and bring innovative ideas and critical thinking to the lab’s research direction.
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external teams, including clinicians, bioinformaticians, and core facilities.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to scientific rigor and ethics, embrace teamwork, and contribute positively to the lab environment, and pursue continuous professional development.
• Participate in mentoring junior trainees and lab members when appropriate.

Credentials and Qualifications:

• Candidates must hold (or be close to completing) a PhD, MD/PhD, or DDS/PhD in cancer biology, microbiology, immunology, or related fields.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Record of peer-reviewed publications and presentations demonstrating research productivity.

Moffitt Postdocs enjoy comprehensive medical coverage, with Moffitt covering the premium effective your very first day. In addition to this valuable benefit, you will also be eligible for dental and vision insurance, generous paid time off, retirement, parental leave, and much more. Furthermore, you may qualify for relocation assistance as per our policy, ensuring a seamless transition to your exciting new role.

Salary Range

Salary ranges posted for this position represent the expected base pay range for the role. Actual compensation may vary based on location and a variety of job‑related factors, including experience, skills, education, and internal equity among Team Members in similar positions. We are committed to maintaining fair and equitable pay practices and regularly review compensation to ensure alignment across our workforce.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Moffitt Cancer Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or protected veteran or disabled status. We seek candidates whose skills, and personal and professional experience, have prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence.

Reasonable Accommodation

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