Project Summary
Join a cross-disciplinary development team advancing a CAR T cell therapy for esophageal cancer at the Dartmouth Cancer Center. This highly translational project involves preclinical validation and IND-enabling studies, integrating cell engineering, in vitro functional testing, and in vivo tumor models to select and de-risk lead candidates for clinical development. This is a full time, on site, postdoctoral research position.

Key Responsibilities
• Design and perform cell-based assays to evaluate CAR constructs for antigen specificity, cytokine production, proliferation, exhaustion markers, and cytotoxicity.
• Execute viral transduction and retroviral production workflows to generate engineered T cells under robust, reproducible conditions.
• Develop, run, and analyze murine and/or patient-derived tumor models to test CAR T efficacy, persistence, trafficking, and safety.
• Perform and interpret multi-parameter flow cytometry and immunophenotyping to characterize immune cell populations and functional states.
• Troubleshoot assays, optimize protocols, maintain accurate laboratory records, and contribute to SOPs and batch records for translational studies.
• Collaborate with clinicians, translational scientists, regulatory scientists, and external CROs to move this program to IND readiness.
• Present results at team meetings, draft sections of manuscripts, and contribute to scientific reports and regulatory documents.

Required Qualifications
• Ph.D. in Immunology, Cancer Biology, Cell Biology, or related biomedical field.
• Hands-on experience with cell culture of primary human cells and functional assays, such as cytotoxicity or cytokine readouts.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications
• Demonstrated experience with viral transduction of primary human cells or T cell engineering.
• Proficiency in flow cytometry panel design, acquisition, and analysis.
• Practical experience with in vivo tumor models; familiarity with xenograft or orthotopic models would be helpful.
• Familiarity with GMP-like processes, GLP study design, or regulatory documentation for IND-enabling studies.

Skills and Attributes
• Strong experimental planning, data analysis, and critical thinking skills.
• High standards for reproducibility, documentation, and data quality.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet milestones in a fast-paced translational environment.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to interact with clinical collaborators.


To apply:
Submit a CV, a 1-page statement of research interests highlighting relevant experiences, and contact information for three references to:
Dr. Charles Sentman, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, via email to: [email protected].
Please include Postdoc CAR T — Esophageal Cancer in the subject line.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.