Postdoctoral Research – Translational Brain Tumour Research Sonabend Lab

Overview

The Department of Neurological Surgery at Northwestern University is seeking outstanding postdoctoral fellows for expansion of basic and translational studies related to modulation of the blood-brain barrier to enhance passage of drugs, biologicals and cells for treatment of neurological diseases and brain cancer, ultrasound-based neuromodulation, and precision medicine-based approaches to cancer drugs for gliomas, and the study of the effects of ultrasound therapy on the brain across species.

The postdoctoral fellow will be supported in the NIH-funded lab of Dr. Adam Sonabend, a neurosurgeon-scientist with a background in translational brain tumor research, the study of glioma progression, and regulation of transcription. The lab emphasizes translational work using patient tumor specimens and clinical data, transgenic mouse glioma models, next-generation sequencing data (ChIP-seq, exome sequencing, RNA-seq), and cutting-edge technologies such as whole genome CRISPR screens to advance projects.

The department offers a nurturing environment for career development, a stimulating community of brain tumor research labs, and access to weekly conferences and seminars.

• Build a publication record including submissions to leading cancer biology journals.
• Supervise rotating undergraduate, graduate and medical students.
• Apply for internal and/or extramural funding.
• Attend national meetings to help build an international reputation.

PhD in immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cancer biology, gene therapy or neuroscience.

• Experience working with small animal models and mammalian cell culture.
• Ability to design and conduct experiments, maintain accurate GLP-style recordkeeping, and collaborate effectively within a team environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to prepare and present research at meetings and write scientific manuscripts in fluent English.

• Expertise in immunology and flow cytometry techniques.
• Cloning, western blot, immunofluorescence, qPCR.
• Familiarity with next-generation sequencing data and gene expression analysis.
• CRISPR, gene silencing and over-expression techniques.
• Assembly of viral vectors; basic coding and next-generation sequencing analysis.

Interested applicants must send a current curriculum vitae, a cover letter containing a short summary of research experience and aspirations, and names and contact information for at least three professional references to Dawn Rose. Applicant must be able to begin employment no later than January 1, 2026.