Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Mout) Immunobiology

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 58,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) is seeking a postdoctoral researcher in the Mout Lab within the Division of Immunobiology and Oncology, part of CuSTOM. The role focuses on designing protein-based approaches to boost immune function and advance cancer immunotherapies, integrating computational protein design with immunology and stem cell biology.

The successful candidate will contribute to de novo protein design, participate in experiments, and collaborate across divisions

Qualifications

• PhD/MD or equivalent in biology, immunology, or related field.
• Preferred interest in protein engineering, immunology, stem cell biology, or cancer immunotherapy.

Responsibilities

• Develop the skills to become an independent scientist through critical thinking and project planning.
• Design, execute, and record laboratory experiments, and analyze data.
• Research and improve current methods and evaluate innovative techniques.
• Protocol and assay accuracy by conducting regular quality and reproducibility checks.
• Discuss relevant insights about experimental results with Faculty and provide useful recommendations and analysis.
• Present research at laboratory meetings, journal clubs, seminars, and meetings.
• Draft, write, and edit scientific reports, papers, journal articles, abstracts, and grants.
• Maintain currency in field through continuing education, literature, and seminars.

Skills

Critical thinking

Data analysis

Experimental design

Education

PhD/MD or equivalent in biology/immunology

Job description

Primary LocationLocation SDepartmentImmunobiologyShiftDay (United States of America)ScheduleFull timeWeekly Hours40FTE1Employee StatusRegularA postdoctoral position is available in Dr. Rubul Mout's laboratory within the Division of Immunobiology, Division of Oncology, and the Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM) at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC).The Mout Lab develops innovative protein-based technologies to enhance immune function and advance next-generation cancer vaccines and immunotherapies. The lab integrates state-of-the-art computational protein design, immunology, cell biology, and stem cell biology to understand and control immune cell development and signaling.

Key Research Areas

• De novo protein design and humanization - Protein Design
• Enhancing T-cell function using designed proteins - Immunotherapy
• Rejuvenating T-cell development - Immuno-aging
• Developing rare dendritic cell populations - Cancer Vaccines

Dr. Mout received training in computational protein design in the laboratory of Nobel Laureate David Baker at the University of Washington and in stem cell biology and immunology in the laboratory of George Daley at Harvard Medical School. His research has contributed to the design of complex protein assemblies and the development of a first-of-its-kind de novo soluble Notch agonist that facilitates cellular development, particularly immune cell development. His work has been published in Cell, Nature, Nature Communications, PNAS, and other leading scientific journals.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop the skills and knowledge (critical thinking and analysis of data, devising specific aims, long‑term project planning and experimental design) to become an independent scientist
• Design, execute, and record laboratory experiments, and analyze data, which may affect decisions regarding future patient care.
• Research and improve current methods and evaluate innovative techniques.
• Protocol and assay accuracy by conducting regular quality and reproducibility checks.
• Implement this knowledge in the Division/Department.
• Troubleshoot and correct erroneous results or problems with laboratory equipment.
• Discuss relevant insights about experimental results with Faculty and provide useful recommendations and analysis.
• Present research at laboratory meetings, journal clubs, seminars, and meetings.
• Develop skills to critically review and discuss data being presented.
• Draft, write, and edit scientific reports, papers, journal articles, abstracts, and grants.
• Progressively increasing responsibilities with mentorship of research staff and fiscal administration
• Maintain currency in field through continuing education, literature, and seminars.
• Be an active participant in the process through intellectual discussions with PI and other faculty, trainees and research staff.
• Solicit feedback on career trajectory from PI, mentoring committee and others who can provide coaching and insight.
• Attend required Cincinnati Children's training sessions and ensure regulatory compliance with all institutional (i.e. Infection Control, ORCRA and others as applicable) policies and procedures
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required

• PhD/MD or equivalent; biology, immunology, or a related field.
• Preferred; Candidates with a strong interest in protein engineering, immunology, stem cell biology, or cancer immunotherapy are encouraged to apply.

About Us

At Cincinnati Children's, we come to work with one goal: to make children's health better. We believe in a holistic team approach, both in caring for patients and their families, and in advancing science and discovery. We strive to do better and find energy and inspiration in our shared purpose. If you want to be the best you can be, you can do it at Cincinnati Children's. Cincinnati Children's is:

• Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as atop 10 best Children's Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years
• Consistently among the top 3 Children's Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH)Funding
• Recognized as one of America's Best Large Employers (2025), America's Best Employers for New Grads (2025)
• One of the nation's America's Most Innovative Companies as noted by Fortune
• Consistently certified as great place to work
• A Leading Disability Employer noted by the National Organization on Disability Magnet designated for the fourth consecutive time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
• We Embrace Innovation‑Together. We believe in empowering our teams with the tools that help us work smarter and care better. That's why we support the responsible use of artificial intelligence. By encouraging innovation, we're creating space for new ideas, better outcomes, and a stronger future‑for all of us. Comprehensive job description provided upon request.

Cincinnati Children's is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. EEO/Veteran/Disability