Postdoctoral Research Opportunity – Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment

The Thomas Laboratory in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine seeks a highly motivated postdoctoral research fellow. The lab studies the biological mechanisms behind cancer progression, metastatic colonization, tumor-microenvironment interactions, and therapeutic response, with emphasis on small cell lung cancer and liver metastasis, tumor plasticity, metabolism, and immune resistance. Research combines mechanistic laboratory studies with human tumor samples and clinical observations to learn how cancers adapt to specific organs and how the metastatic niche alters tumor state and treatment response. The fellow will use tumor models, genetically engineered mouse models, longitudinal in vivo imaging, molecular and cellular assays, functional perturbation approaches, and spatial and genomic profiling to address clinically relevant questions in metastasis and treatment resistance. Duties include designing, optimizing, and executing experiments; developing in vitro and in vivo models of metastasis mechanisms; and running assays such as cell culture, flow cytometry, microscopy, and gene-expression analysis. The role also requires rigorous data analysis, contributions to high-impact peer-reviewed publications, collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, conference presentations, and leading manuscript and grant-related work. Mentorship and progressive scientific independence are a stated priority; fellows are encouraged to develop their own scientific questions, build collaborations, and pursue fellowship and career-development funding. A PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree in cancer biology, molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, genetics, biomedical sciences, or a related field is required, with eligibility for a postdoctoral appointment at Northwestern. Strong experimental skills and a proven peer-reviewed publication record are expected; background in tumor biology, metastasis, tumor immunology, metabolism, or liver or lung cancer is preferred. Apply by emailing a cover letter describing research interests, experience, and career goals, a CV with a complete publication list, and contact information for three professional references to anish.thomas@northwestern.edu. Original company posting: https://postdocs.northwestern.edu/announcements/positions-at-northwestern/2026/postdoctoral-research-opportunity-cancer-metastasis-and-tumor-microenvironment.html