Postdoctoral Research Position in Cancer Immunology and Immune Engineering

UT Southwestern Medical Center - Center for Cellular Therapy and Cancer Immunology; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas hosts the Choi Laboratory, seeking a postdoctoral researcher to advance cancer immunotherapies through integrated immunology, T-cell and protein engineering, and translational science.

You will collaborate with basic scientists, translational researchers, and clinicians, with projects designed to progress from mechanistic discovery through preclinical development toward first-in-human studies, in a rigorous academic environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize next-generation immunotherapies using T-cell and protein engineering.
• Collaborate with immunology, cancer biology, and clinical teams to translate discoveries into therapies.
• Design experiments that move discoveries from mechanistic studies to preclinical development.
• Present findings and publish in peer-reviewed journals.

Job description

Laboratory of Dr. Jaehyuk Choi

Co-founder, Moonlight Bio

Director, Center for Cellular Therapies and Cancer Immunology

Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center

Vice Chair of Innovation and Translation

Department of Dermatology

University of Texas Southwestern

Dallas, Texas

Position Overview

The Choi Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative postdoctoral researcher to help develop the next generation of cancer immunotherapies. Our research integrates cancer immunology, T-cell and protein engineering, and translational science to uncover mechanisms of immune regulation and convert those discoveries into rationally designed therapies.

The successful candidate will join the Center for Cellular Therapies and Cancer Immunology and work alongside basic scientists, translational researchers, and clinicians with expertise in immunology, cancer biology, molecular engineering, and therapeutic development. Projects are designed to progress from mechanistic discovery through preclinical development, providing exposure to programs moving toward first-in-human studies. This position is particularly well suited for researchers seeking rigorous scientific training and preparation for careers in academia, biotechnology, or translational medicine.

Research Focus

• T-cell engineering
• Cancer immunology and immunotherapy
• Protein and cell engineering for next-generation immunotherapies

Why Join the Choi Laboratory at UT Southwestern?

UT Southwestern Medical Center is an internationally recognized academic medical center where scientists and clinicians work together to translate discovery into better treatments. Through the Choi Laboratory’s affiliations with the Center for Cellular Therapies and Cancer Immunology and the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, postdoctoral researchers have access to multidisciplinary expertise, advanced shared core facilities, extensive institutional research support, and opportunities to connect laboratory discoveries with unmet clinical needs.

The Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center recognized for excellence across basic, clinical, prevention, and population-based cancer research. This highly collaborative environment allows postdoctoral researchers to engage with scientists and clinicians across traditional disciplinary boundaries while developing the technical, scientific, and professional skills needed for their next career stage.

Postdoctoral researchers receive a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, individualized mentoring, and access to institutional career-development resources. Located in Dallas, UT Southwestern combines the resources and scientific community of a major academic medical center with the professional and cultural opportunities of one of the country’s largest and most diverse metropolitan areas.

Selected Recent Publications

Candidates are encouraged to review the lab’s recent publications to learn more about our scientific approach and ongoing areas of research.

2025

Journal of Clinical Investigation: Addiction of primary cutaneousγδ T cell lymphomas to JAK/STAT signaling

Journal of Clinical Investigation: Cellular profiling identifies targetable T cell phenotypes in lymphocytic variant hypereosinophilic syndrome

2024

Nature: Naturally occurring T cell mutations enhance engineered T cell therapies

Nature: Interferon subverts an AHR-JUN axis to promote CXCL13+T cells in lupu s

Cancer Discovery: Preexisting Skin-Resident CD8 and γδ T-cell Circuits Mediate Immune Response in Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Predict Immunotherapy Efficacy

2023

Nature: PD-1 instructs a tumor-suppressive metabolic program that restricts glycolysis and restrains AP-1 activity in T cell lymphoma

Learn More

Explore the Choi Laboratory’s research, publications, and ongoing programs:

• Choi Laboratory website: Choi (Jaehyuk) Lab | UT Southwestern, Dallas, Texas
• Laboratory research overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMnKZ0bko0U
• Dr. Jaehyuk Choi Influuent: Jaehyuk Choi - University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

EEO Statement

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status