A postdoctoral position is available in the Dr. Victor Tkachev's laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital - Harvard Medical School to study the immunobiology of Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD), which remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality of patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Our group uses animal models, including unique HSCT model in non-human primates, traditional and systems immunology approaches to interrogate the mechanism driving pathogenic alloimmunity during GVHD.

Recently, we discovered that GVHD-induced tissue immunopathology in barrier organs is driven by tissue-infiltrating T cells that rapidly acquire pathogenic tissue-resident characteristics (Tkachev V et al, (2021) Sci. Transl. Med). This seminal discovery nominates potentially targetable pathways orchestrating tissue invasiveness and tissue-residency programs in T cells during GVHD and spark our interest to understanding the organ-specific roles of tissue-resident T cells in HSCT settings. We are currently investigating whether specific targeting these cells provides the opportunity to separate GVHD, mainly affecting barrier organs, from beneficial graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect, primarily mediated in the lymphoid tissues.

The Dr. Victor Tkachev's laboratory is a recently established research unit within the MGH Center for Transplantation Sciences, which offers a great opportunity to get expertise in basic and translational immunology and to work in a highly productive, as well as highly collaborative and supportive multidisciplinary environment. The indicated studies will be conducted as a part of existing collaboration involving Dr. Tkachev's laboratory, Cellular Therapeutics and Systems Immunology (CTSI) laboratory at Boston Children's Hospital, led by Dr. Leslie Kean, and other investigators within Harvard Medical School and beyond.

The Research Fellow will work to independently carry out a scientific project with minimal supervision from the PI of the laboratory. This includes design and execution of highly specialized experiments, collection of and accurate recording of procedures and results, and summarization of the findings for publication. Candidates must be highly motivated, well organized, technically proficient, critically minded, and able to work independently but collaboratively with others. Candidates must possess a recent PhD, MD, or MD/PhD with a strong background in cellular or molecular immunology. Extra consideration will be given to those with relevant experience with T cell immunology, advanced flow cytometry, and systems biology.

To apply, please send the following materials to Dr. Victor Tkachev (vtkachev@mgh.harvard.edu):

1. Cover letter that describes your prior experience, career goals, and your motivation to apply for this position.
2. CV with publication records. 3
3. Name, relations and contact information for three references.