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Highly motivated individuals with a PhD or MD/PhD in relevant area are encouraged to apply. This training position, under the direct supervision of a Cleveland Clinic Principal Investigator will provide practical training and experience in a research setting. This position is appointed through Cleveland Clinic Research. The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate a commitment to research, a collaborative work ethic and strong communication skills, both written and verbal. This program is expected to be completed within 5 years. Compensation follows the NIH NRSA Postdoctoral Salary Scale based on total years of postdoctoral experience.

Immune checkpoint blockade has transformed cancer immunotherapy. The Wang laboratory was among the first to identify VISTA (V-domain Immunoglobulin Suppressor of T Cell Activation) as a promising immune checkpoint target for cancer therapy (1-4). Current multidisciplinary projects focus on the epigenetic and metabolic regulation of tumor-reactive T cells, CAR T cells, tumor-associated macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). These studies integrate basic and clinical research, providing a strong training environment in translational cancer immunology.

We seek candidates with a recent PhD and with research experience in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, and Immunology to join our team. Interested applicants should submit a CV, a cover letter describing research interests, and contact information for three references to Dr. Li Lily Wang, [email protected] .

References:

1. Le Mercier I, Chen W, Lines JL, Day M, Li J, Sergent P, Noelle RJ, Wang L (2014) VISTA regulates the development of protective anti-tumor immunity. Cancer Research, 74:1933-1944. PMC4116689

2. Xu W, Tạ MH, Malarkannan S, Wang L (2018) Review: The structure, expression, and function of immune-checkpoint protein VISTA as a critical regulator of anti-tumor immunity, autoimmunity, and inflammation. Cellular & Molecular Immunology. 2018 May 15(5):438-446 PMC6068175

3. Zhang K, Zakeri A, Alban T, Dong J, Ta HM, Zalavadia AH, Branicky A, Zhao H, Juric I, Husich H, Parthasarathy PB, Rupani A, Drazba JA, Chakraborty AA, Ching-Cheng Huang S, Chan T, Avril S, Wang LL. VISTA promotes the metabolism and differentiation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells by STAT3 and polyamine-dependent mechanisms. Cell Reports 2024 Jan 3;43(1):113661. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113661. PMID: 38175754.

4. Hieu Minh Ta, Dia Roy, Keman Zhang, Tyler Alban, Ivan Juric, Juan Dong, Sachin Patnaik, Cassandra Gilmour, Amin Zakeri, Prerana B Parthasarathy, Amit Rupani, Yee Peng Phoon, Brian Gastman, Timothy Chan, Li Lily Wang. LRIG1 engages ligand VISTA and impairs tumor-specific CD8+ T cell responses. Science Immunology, 2024 May 17;9(95) PMID: 38758807 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adi7418

**Principal Investigator:** Lily Wang, PhD

**Cleveland Clinic Research Department:** Cancer Sciences (THOR)

Lab Research Topics:

+ Next-generation Immune checkpoint protein

+ tumor immunology

+ Tumor-associated macrophages

+ T cell biology

+ For more information about the lab's research, please visit: https://www.lerner.ccf.org/translational-hematology-oncology/wang/ or contact Dr. Wang at [email protected]

Job Responsibilities:

+ Independent project design with the goal of data generation, analysis, interpretation and manuscript preparation

+ Develop research projects

+ Design and execute experiments

+ Write manuscripts

+ Present research findings

Education:

+ PhD or MD/PhD required

+ MD with relevant laboratory experience may substitute for PhD

Languages:

+ English Proficiency proof required for candidates arriving on J-1, J-2, or F1 + OPT visa status

Work Experience:

+ Previous experience in a research or academic setting. Graduate student experience meets this requirement.

+ Scientific writing experience

Physical Requirements:

+ Ability to perform work in a stationary position for extended periods

+ Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment

+ Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information

+ Ability to distinguish color

+ Manual dexterity to handle specimens and repair equipment

+ Ability to lift and transport equipment or specimens weighing up to 20 pounds

+ May be exposed to hazardous chemicals, bio-hazards, radioactive materials, etc.

Personal Protective Equipment:

+ PPE per institutional requirements; may vary by laboratory

Preferred Application Materials:

All application materials should be submitted directly via email to Dr. Wang at [email protected]

+ CV or NIH biosketch

+ First authored publications within the past 5 years.

**Keywords:** Postdoc, Research, Immunology research

Pay Range

Minimum Annual Salary: $31,200.00

Maximum Annual Salary: $312,000.00

The pay range displayed on this job posting reflects the anticipated range for new hires. A successful candidate's actual compensation will be determined after taking factors into consideration such as the candidate's work history, experience, skill set and education. The pay range displayed does not include any applicable pay practices (e.g., shift differentials, overtime, etc.). The pay range does not include the value of Cleveland Clinic's benefits package (e.g., healthcare, dental and vision benefits, retirement savings account contributions, etc.).

Cleveland Clinic Health System is pleased to be an equal employment employer: Women / Minorities / Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities