Postdoctoral Position: Red Blood Cell Immunobiology

University of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Mangalmurti Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania invites applications for a postdoctoral fellow to evaluate red blood cells as a liquid biopsy platform for cancer detection and disease monitoring. The project will investigate rtDNA as a novel substrate for precision oncology, including its biological basis and translational potential.

The fellow will integrate in vitro tumor–RBC co-culture systems, preclinical cancer models, and clinical specimens to define rtDNA acquisition and

Responsibilities

• Lead in vitro tumor–RBC co-culture studies and preclinical models to define rtDNA mechanisms.
• Develop and optimize molecular assays for mutation detection and analytic sensitivity.
• Evaluate RBC-based liquid biopsy feasibility across oncology indications in clinical samples.
• Collaborate with academic and industry partners to advance translational diagnostics.

Job description

The Mangalmurti Laboratory, in the Department of Medicine's Divison of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, invites applications for a postdoctoral position focused on evaluating red blood cells (RBCs) as a novel liquid biopsy platform for cancer detection and disease monitoring. This industry-sponsored project will investigate the biological basis, analytical performance, and translational potential of RBC-associated tumor DNA (rtDNA) as a new substrate for precision oncology applications. The laboratory recently discovered that RBCs rapidly acquire and retain tumor-derived DNA, revealing an unexpected role for RBCs in cancer biology and liquid biopsy. Emerging data suggest that RBC-associated tumor DNA may provide a sensitive and complementary source of tumor-derived genetic material that can overcome some of the limitations of conventional plasma-based approaches.

The successful candidate will lead studies integrating in vitro tumor–RBC co-culture systems, preclinical cancer models, and clinical specimens from patients with cancer to define the mechanisms of rtDNA acquisition, persistence, and detection. The project will include development and optimization of molecular assays for mutation detection, evaluation of analytical sensitivity and specificity, and assessment of the feasibility of RBC-based liquid biopsy approaches across multiple oncology indications.

This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of cancer biology, liquid biopsy technology, and translational medicine while helping establish an entirely new diagnostic paradigm. The fellow will collaborate closely with academic and industry partners and will contribute to the advancement of RBC-based technologies for cancer detection, disease monitoring, and precision oncology.

Postdoctoral fellows receive close mentorship with an emphasis on developing scientific independence, rigorous experimental design, and career development. Trainees are encouraged and supported to pursue their own research directions, obtain independent funding, and engage in interdisciplinary collaborations spanning immunology, hematology, bioengineering, and clinical investigation. The laboratory is embedded within a strong research environment with access to outstanding core facilities and institutional career development resources.

Training Environment and Mentorship

The postdoctoral fellow will receive close mentorship with an emphasis on scientific rigor, experimental design, translational research, and career development. The fellow will have the opportunity to lead an industry-sponsored research program aimed at evaluating the feasibility of red blood cell–based liquid biopsy technologies for oncology applications. Training will encompass biomarker discovery, assay development, translational study design, and the generation of data needed to support future clinical and commercial development. The fellow will work within a highly collaborative environment that integrates cancer biology, hematology, genomics, bioengineering, and clinical investigation. Opportunities will be available to interact with industry partners, participate in multidisciplinary project teams, and gain exposure to the scientific, regulatory, and strategic considerations involved in advancing novel diagnostic technologies from discovery toward clinical implementation. The laboratory is embedded within a premier academic medical center and provides access to outstanding core facilities, including genomics, bioinformatics, flow cytometry, imaging, and biostatistics resources. Fellows are encouraged to develop scientific independence, publish their findings in high-impact journals, present their work at national and international meetings, and pursue career paths in academia, biotechnology, or the pharmaceutical industry.

Applicants Should Submit The Following Materials

• A cover letter describing research interests, relevant experience, and career goals
• A curriculum vitae (CV)
• Contact information for three references

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.