Postdoctoral Fellow - Cancer Biology
- Requisition #: 188100-202610051607
- Department: Cancer Biology
- Location: Houston, TX
- Posted Date: 10/2/2026
A postdoctoral fellow position is available in the Department of Cancer Biology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center under the direct supervision of Dr. Natividad Roberto Fuentes Jr., Assistant Professor. Our laboratory investigates how plasma membrane lipid composition, biophysical properties, and nanoscale organization of lipids and proteins regulate cellular signaling and function within the tumor microenvironment. We integrate membrane biophysics, advanced microscopy, lipidomics, and functional genomics to identify mechanisms of immune dysfunction and therapeutic resistance.
Supported by a V Foundation V Scholar award, this position will focus on understanding how membrane organization regulates CD8+ T cell signaling and exhaustion, identifying pathways that preserve antitumor function, and developing membrane-engineering strategies to improve adoptive cellular therapies for solid tumors.
The postdoctoral fellow will conduct research to determine how plasma membrane lipid organization and biophysical properties regulate T cell signaling, dysfunction, and antitumor activity. Studies will combine in vitro experiments using primary human T cells with in vivo studies using mouse tumor models. Quantitative live-cell and super-resolution imaging, flow cytometry, lipidomics, and functional assays will connect membrane properties with receptor organization, signaling, and cancer-cell killing. The fellow will use CRISPR-based functional genomics and complementary genetic and biochemical approaches to identify regulators of membrane organization. These studies will inform membrane-engineering strategies to improve immune synapse formation and sustained antitumor activity in adoptive cellular therapies, including CAR-T and CAR-NK platforms.
The fellow will develop proficiency in interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific communication, working with investigators across membrane biophysics, tumor immunology, imaging, lipidomics, functional genomics, and cell engineering. Research findings will be disseminated through publications and conference presentations.
All duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with institutional policies, ethical research standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Conduct independent research:
Design, execute, and analyze research projects aligned with the program's goals, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Engage in collaborative, cross-disciplinary research with access to advanced facilities, shared research resources, and complementary expertise. Develop an independent research direction and contribute to the training of junior laboratory members.
Collaborate with faculty mentor:
Work closely with Dr. Fuentes to develop expertise in membrane biophysics and tumor immunology, refine experimental approaches, discuss research findings, and receive guidance on research direction and career development.
Grant writing support:
Receive mentorship in preparing fellowship applications and contribute to the development of research grant proposals.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
For an individual to be eligible for a postdoctoral fellow appointment, all of the following conditions must be met:
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in immunology, cancer biology, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related biomedical field. The doctoral degree must be completed by the position's start date.
The appointee recently (within three years) completed their education (doctorate) or completed previous postdoctoral experience or graduate medical education
The appointment is temporary
The appointment involves substantial full-time research or scholarship
The appointment is viewed as preparatory for a full-time academic and/or research career
The appointment is not part of a clinical training program
The appointee works under the supervision of a senior scholar or a department in a university or similar research institution (e.g., national laboratory, National Institutes of Health (NIH), etc.)
The appointee has the freedom to and is expected to publish the results of his or her research or scholarship during the period of the appointment
POSITION INFORMATION
MD Anderson offers full-time postdoc positions with a salary ranging from $64,000 to $76,000. depending on the number of years of postgraduate experience. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition
Offsite work arrangements are subject to approval and may be modified or revoked at any time based on business needs, performance considerations, or regulatory requirements.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
Supported by a V Foundation V Scholar award, this position will focus on understanding how membrane organization regulates CD8+ T cell signaling and exhaustion, identifying pathways that preserve antitumor function, and developing membrane-engineering strategies to improve adoptive cellular therapies for solid tumors.
The postdoctoral fellow will conduct research to determine how plasma membrane lipid organization and biophysical properties regulate T cell signaling, dysfunction, and antitumor activity. Studies will combine in vitro experiments using primary human T cells with in vivo studies using mouse tumor models. Quantitative live-cell and super-resolution imaging, flow cytometry, lipidomics, and functional assays will connect membrane properties with receptor organization, signaling, and cancer-cell killing. The fellow will use CRISPR-based functional genomics and complementary genetic and biochemical approaches to identify regulators of membrane organization. These studies will inform membrane-engineering strategies to improve immune synapse formation and sustained antitumor activity in adoptive cellular therapies, including CAR-T and CAR-NK platforms.
The fellow will develop proficiency in interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific communication, working with investigators across membrane biophysics, tumor immunology, imaging, lipidomics, functional genomics, and cell engineering. Research findings will be disseminated through publications and conference presentations.
All duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with institutional policies, ethical research standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Conduct independent research:
Design, execute, and analyze research projects aligned with the program's goals, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Engage in collaborative, cross-disciplinary research with access to advanced facilities, shared research resources, and complementary expertise. Develop an independent research direction and contribute to the training of junior laboratory members.
Collaborate with faculty mentor:
Work closely with Dr. Fuentes to develop expertise in membrane biophysics and tumor immunology, refine experimental approaches, discuss research findings, and receive guidance on research direction and career development.
Grant writing support:
Receive mentorship in preparing fellowship applications and contribute to the development of research grant proposals.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
For an individual to be eligible for a postdoctoral fellow appointment, all of the following conditions must be met:
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in immunology, cancer biology, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related biomedical field. The doctoral degree must be completed by the position's start date.
The appointee recently (within three years) completed their education (doctorate) or completed previous postdoctoral experience or graduate medical education
The appointment is temporary
The appointment involves substantial full-time research or scholarship
The appointment is viewed as preparatory for a full-time academic and/or research career
The appointment is not part of a clinical training program
The appointee works under the supervision of a senior scholar or a department in a university or similar research institution (e.g., national laboratory, National Institutes of Health (NIH), etc.)
The appointee has the freedom to and is expected to publish the results of his or her research or scholarship during the period of the appointment
POSITION INFORMATION
MD Anderson offers full-time postdoc positions with a salary ranging from $64,000 to $76,000. depending on the number of years of postgraduate experience. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition
Offsite work arrangements are subject to approval and may be modified or revoked at any time based on business needs, performance considerations, or regulatory requirements.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
