Position Summary / Career Interest:

The University of Kansas Health System and The University of Kansas Cancer Center are seeking a Scientist in Immune Effector Cell Therapy to join the Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics.

The University of Kansas Cancer Center (KUCC) is the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the region serving patients across Kansas and western Missouri. The program includes the regions largest Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Immunotherapy program providing a strong clinical and translational platform for innovative immune effector cell research.

The selected candidate will benefit from exceptional institutional resources including a new state-of-the-art cancer center currently under construction to support cutting-edge research and multidisciplinary care. This full-time research-track faculty position offers academic rank commensurate with experience competitive salary and comprehensive benefits dedicated start-up support and access to institutional core facilities within a highly collaborative campus environment.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of cancer immunotherapy by driving translational research at the interface of discovery science preclinical development and early-phase clinical trials. The successful candidate will contribute to next-generation immune effector strategies including CAR-T and CAR-NK therapies engineered macrophages/monocytes and combination immunotherapies for hematologic and solid tumors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish an innovative and externally funded research program.
• Design lead and execute translational studies in immune-effector cell therapy (e.g. CAR constructs BiTEs armored cells logic-gated circuits) that enable generation of patentable IEC intellectual property.
• Recruit additional faculty to expand research within the IEC program.
• Design and oversee in vitro functional assays (killing cytokine profiling spectral flow scRNA-seq/CITE-seq) and in vivo preclinical efficacy/toxicity models.
• Collaborate with KUCCs cGMP manufacturing the Institute for Advancing Medical Innovation (IAMI) Clinical Trials Office Pathology and Biostatistics to advance First-in-Human enabling investigational new drug submissions to FDA and lead/participate in IEC early phase clinical trials.
• Develop and validate analytical/quality assays (potency identity vector copy number sterility/mycoplasma off-target/tropism assessments).
• Contribute to the preparation of regulatory documentation (IACUC/IRB Biosafety IND/IDE modules) study protocols and clinical correlative science plans.
• Mentor trainees (graduate students residents postdocs and fellows) as well as junior faculty and coordinate cross-functional project teams.
• Disseminate results via manuscripts conference abstracts and grant applications (NIH LLS foundations).

Qualifications:

• MD DO MD/PhD or PhD in Immunology Hematology/Oncology; Cancer Biology Bioengineering or related field
• 25 years post-degree research experience in immune-effector cell therapy or closely related area
• Hands-on expertise in cell engineering (viral/non-viral delivery; CRISPR or equivalent) primary T/NK cell culture and functional immunology assays
• Previous extramural funding: i.e. K award R21 DOD
• Demonstrated track record of impactful publications and team-based science

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with CAR/TCR design multiplex editing payload/armoring strategies (e.g. IL-15 TGF-β-DN) or innate cell engineering (CAR-macrophage)
• Familiarity with GMP principles release testing and tech transfer to manufacturing
• Experience with glial/solid tumor models and strategies to overcome antigen heterogeneity/immune suppression
• Comfort with bioinformatics for single cell/NGS datasets and correlative biomarker discovery
• Prior participation in IND-enabling or early-phase clinical translation

Environment & Resources
KUCC offers integrated cGMP cell manufacturing AAALAC-accredited vivaria advanced cytometry (spectral flow CyTOF) imaging cores and biostatistics/bioinformatics support. The Division partners closely with clinical programs in hematologic malignancies and cellular therapeutics and IAMI to generate IEC discoveries and with the GMP lab to accelerate bedside-to-bench-to-bedside translation.

Benefits and compensation

• Recent increase in overall compensation package
• Comprehensive retirement program
• Relocation assistance
• Health dental vision insurance with coverage day one
• CME allowance
• LTD/STD and Life insurance
• Professional liability insurance

About The University of Kansas Cancer Center

The University of Kansas Cancer Center (KUCC) is the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the region serving patients across Kansas and western Missouri. Our program includes the regions largest Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Immunotherapy program offering a robust clinical platform to support innovative translational research.

The cancer centers Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapeutics (HMCT) division is the regions largest and among the first in the nation to provide all FDA-approved CAR T-cell therapies. We perform more than 450 transplants annually. Our team is leading multiple efforts to advance novel immunotherapies including a national effort for a new Phase 1 IND manufacturing a novel CD19/20/22 (NCT).

Our new state-of-the-art facility which will open early 2028 is purposefully designed to co-locate teams to promote collaboration. This significant investment includes a GMP manufacturing facility to advance cell and gene therapy innovation. With a robust infrastructure for rapid trial activation data management and regulatory compliance KUCC drives breakthroughs from bench to bedside. Through collaboration and patient-centered care we are shaping the future of cancer treatment.

About The University of Kansas Hospital:

Recognized as one of the top hospitals in the United States by U.S. News & World Report The University of Kansas Hospital is a 1045-bed academic medical center and Level 1 trauma center with a mission to lead in the discovery of new knowledge deliver outstanding patient care in this region and beyond and educate the healthcare professionals of tomorrow. The Health System consistently earning national recognition for outstanding quality and safety in several medical specialties is known for its Center for Advanced Heart Care Center for Transplantation Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center and NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Magnet designation is proof of our hard-earned commitment to nursing excellence.

About Kansas City:

A metropolitan area of 2.3 million people Kansas City offers the diversity and excitement of a large city with the charm and convenience of Midwest living. Walkable tree-lined neighborhoods surround the campus which is within close proximity to the citys top destinations including the Kauffman Center of Performing Arts Union Station & Science City National WWI Museum Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art as well as the Country Club Plaza a shopping district celebrated for its architectural design.

Overall the Kansas City metropolitan area is a diverse and dynamic region with a rich cultural heritage a strong economy a vibrant downtown area and a wide range of recreational and educational opportunities. It offers a high quality of life for its residents and attracts visitors from around the region and beyond. Residents enjoy safe suburban neighborhoods great restaurants and shopping miles of bike paths parks and lakes excellent schools (public private and universities for higher education).

The University of Kansas Health System is the official healthcare provider for the Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Royals KC Current and T-Mobile Center. Kansas City is also home to Sporting KC Kansas City Mavericks and we will be hosting the World Cup! Visit for more information about Kansas City.

For more information contact:

Ann Terry Physician Recruiter

Time Type:

Job Requisition ID:

Important information for you to know as you apply:

• The health system is an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race color religion sex (including pregnancy gender identity and sexual orientation) national origin ancestry age disability veteran status genetic information or any other legally-protected status. See also Diversity Equity & Inclusion.

• The health system provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need to request reasonable accommodations for your disability as you navigate the recruitment process please let our recruiters know by requesting an Accommodation Request form using this link .

• Employment with the health system is contingent upon among other things agreeing to the and signing the agreement to the DRP.

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