Postdoctoral Fellow - Genomic Medicine
- Requisition #: 600138-202611091135
- Department: Genomic Medicine
- Location: Houston, TX
- Posted Date: 11/5/2026
We seek a talented and highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join the Department of Genomic Medicine at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. The position will focus on understanding how gut microbial communities influence antitumor immunity and developing microbiome-based strategies to improve responses to cancer immunotherapy.
Research projects will involve identifying beneficial microorganisms, defining their interactions, and designing bacterial consortia with potential therapeutic applications in oncology. Studies will combine anaerobic cultivation, continuous-flow bioreactor systems, and systematic manipulation of microbial communities with microbial genetic screening and multi-omics analyses. Candidate microbial consortia and mechanisms will be evaluated in preclinical cancer models to determine their effects on microbial engraftment, host immunity, tumor growth, and response to immune checkpoint blockade.
The fellow will work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment connecting microbiology, immunology, genomics, and translational oncology. The position offers opportunities to connect patient-derived microbiome observations with mechanistic laboratory studies, develop independent research directions, publish findings, and contribute to the development of microbiome-based cancer therapies.
All duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with institutional policies, ethical research standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The Postdoctoral Fellow will develop and apply advanced approaches in microbial community engineering to investigate how gut microorganisms influence antitumor immunity and responses to cancer immunotherapy. Building on experience in anaerobic cultivation, continuous-flow bioreactor systems, and defined microbial consortia, the fellow will learn to identify microbial strains, genes, and metabolites that regulate host immune function. They will gain hands-on experience integrating multi-omics analyses, immune profiling, and patient-derived microbiome data to identify therapeutic targets and biomarkers of treatment response. Microbial consortia and dietary or prebiotic interventions will be evaluated in preclinical cancer models, including gnotobiotic systems, to assess microbial engraftment, immune responses, tumor growth, and therapeutic efficacy. The fellow will learn to formulate translational hypotheses, design, and execute rigorous experimental workflows, and establish causal relationships between microbial functions and treatment outcomes. Training will also include manuscript and grant writing, mentorship of junior trainees, interdisciplinary collaboration, and project leadership, preparing the fellow for an independent career in academia or industry at the interface of microbiome science and cancer immunotherapy.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Highly motivated individuals with a recent PhD degree in Microbiology, Immunology, or a related biomedical field, completed by the appointment start date, are encouraged to apply. Experience is preferred in gut microbiome research, anaerobic bacterial cultivation, continuous-flow bioreactor systems, development of defined microbial consortia, microbial genetic screening, multi-omics analyses, and preclinical animal models.
ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INFORMATION
This position reports to Dr. Jennifer Wargo in Genomic Medicine Department. Consideration of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Interested applicants should send a Cover Letter specifying past research experience/skills/accomplishments, a Curriculum Vitae and the contact information of three (3) Referees to Mr. Hristijan Risteski at HRisteski@mdanderson.org with the subject line entitled "Postdoctoral Fellow - Application - Applicant's Name."
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
Research projects will involve identifying beneficial microorganisms, defining their interactions, and designing bacterial consortia with potential therapeutic applications in oncology. Studies will combine anaerobic cultivation, continuous-flow bioreactor systems, and systematic manipulation of microbial communities with microbial genetic screening and multi-omics analyses. Candidate microbial consortia and mechanisms will be evaluated in preclinical cancer models to determine their effects on microbial engraftment, host immunity, tumor growth, and response to immune checkpoint blockade.
The fellow will work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment connecting microbiology, immunology, genomics, and translational oncology. The position offers opportunities to connect patient-derived microbiome observations with mechanistic laboratory studies, develop independent research directions, publish findings, and contribute to the development of microbiome-based cancer therapies.
All duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with institutional policies, ethical research standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The Postdoctoral Fellow will develop and apply advanced approaches in microbial community engineering to investigate how gut microorganisms influence antitumor immunity and responses to cancer immunotherapy. Building on experience in anaerobic cultivation, continuous-flow bioreactor systems, and defined microbial consortia, the fellow will learn to identify microbial strains, genes, and metabolites that regulate host immune function. They will gain hands-on experience integrating multi-omics analyses, immune profiling, and patient-derived microbiome data to identify therapeutic targets and biomarkers of treatment response. Microbial consortia and dietary or prebiotic interventions will be evaluated in preclinical cancer models, including gnotobiotic systems, to assess microbial engraftment, immune responses, tumor growth, and therapeutic efficacy. The fellow will learn to formulate translational hypotheses, design, and execute rigorous experimental workflows, and establish causal relationships between microbial functions and treatment outcomes. Training will also include manuscript and grant writing, mentorship of junior trainees, interdisciplinary collaboration, and project leadership, preparing the fellow for an independent career in academia or industry at the interface of microbiome science and cancer immunotherapy.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Highly motivated individuals with a recent PhD degree in Microbiology, Immunology, or a related biomedical field, completed by the appointment start date, are encouraged to apply. Experience is preferred in gut microbiome research, anaerobic bacterial cultivation, continuous-flow bioreactor systems, development of defined microbial consortia, microbial genetic screening, multi-omics analyses, and preclinical animal models.
ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INFORMATION
This position reports to Dr. Jennifer Wargo in Genomic Medicine Department. Consideration of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Interested applicants should send a Cover Letter specifying past research experience/skills/accomplishments, a Curriculum Vitae and the contact information of three (3) Referees to Mr. Hristijan Risteski at HRisteski@mdanderson.org with the subject line entitled "Postdoctoral Fellow - Application - Applicant's Name."
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
