Staff Scientist

The Ho Laboratory conducts both basic and translational research on glypicans in cancer. Our research spans investigations into the molecular mechanisms by which glypicans, including GPC1, GPC2, and GPC3, regulate Wnt and YAP signaling, as well as the design of antibody- and T-cell-based therapeutics. We have also developed mammalian cell display technology and constructed shark and camel single-domain antibody phage display libraries as platforms for antibody engineering and drug discovery.

Immune therapeutics developed in the Ho Laboratory, including CAR T-cell therapies, are advancing toward clinical trials for the treatment of liver cancer, pediatric cancers, mesothelioma, and other malignancies. This Staff Scientist will play a major role in designing and executing multidisciplinary research projects that shape the long-term scientific direction of the laboratory.

Responsibilities include experimental design, data analysis, manuscript preparation, mentoring junior trainees, and contributing to collaborative projects within the NIH Intramural Research Program. Candidates will design and conduct experiments involving monoclonal antibody/nanobody development and characterization, as well as develop and optimize antibody- and cell-based therapeutics, including CAR T-cell therapies and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

The successful candidate will also develop preclinical animal models and perform quantitative transcriptomic analyses using RNA sequencing, multiplex microscopic imaging, functional signaling analyses of tumor and immune cells, and mechanistic studies of signaling pathways involving glypicans in cancer and immune cells within the tumor microenvironment. Additional responsibilities include applying molecular and cellular biology techniques such as phage display, mammalian cell display, ELISA, quantitative RNA analysis, Western blotting, multiplex flow cytometry, multiplex immunofluorescence microscopy, signaling-based reporter assays, transcriptomics and proteomics, and mammalian cell culture.

Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry, cancer biology, immunology, or a related field, and have at least five years of postdoctoral research experience. Candidates should have expertise in the following areas:

• Large-scale DNA and RNA dataset analysis
• Phage display technology and antibody engineering techniques
• Quantitative multiplex immunofluorescence imaging of tissue specimens
• Biochemistry of heparan sulfate glypican signaling and function
• T-cell biology and cancer immunology
• Establishment and use of preclinical animal models for clinical trial development
• Construction of CAR T-cell therapies and antibody-based therapeutics, including antibody-drug conjugates
• Wnt and YAP signaling and their roles in glypican biology and cancer development
• Advanced molecular and cellular biology techniques, including genome editing and CRISPR-mediated gene knockout and knock-in

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated scientific creativity, strong organizational and communication skills, and the ability to lead collaborative research projects independently. Experience mentoring trainees and a strong publication record are also required.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply. NIH welcomes foreign nationals with the exception of individuals from this list.