Postdoctoral Fellow Position in Particle Radiotherapy Radiobiology, including DNA Damage Response, Immunotherapy, and Cancer Metabolism

Mayo Clinic Cancer Center – Ebner/Hitosugi Laboratory 

The Ebner/Hitosugi Laboratory at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic Cancer Center is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join our dynamic team. Our research focuses on the utilization of high linear energy transfer radiotherapy, including particle radiotherapy (proton, carbon-ion, others) and other methods of high-LET radiotherapy delivery. Our focus includes the DNA damage response (with close collaborations in the Mutter/Lou laboratories) and radiobiologies inherent to this unique form of therapy, interplay with anti-tumoral immunity, and metabolomic evaluation of the full cellular response to combinatorial therapies. Our primary areas of focus are (osteo)sarcoma as well as head and neck malignancies, incorporating particle beam radiotherapy, DNA repair inhibitors, immunotherapy, and multiomic analyses, including of clinical trial samples. 

Who We Are

Our lab is a highly collaborative and innovative research environment led by experts in the field:

• Dr. Taro Hitosugi – A world leader in cancer metabolism with an NIH-funded laboratory and high-impact publications.
• Dr. Daniel Ebner – Physician-scientist specializing in Radiation Oncology, with expertise in translational clinical trials and pre-clinical mechanistic research.

We work closely with top cancer biologists, clinicians, and global investigators at international radiotherapy centers to mechanistically understand the advantages of high-LET radiotherapy (Bragg Peak protons, carbon-ions, alpha particles), with potential for beamtime delivery in Europe and Asia. Some of the key questions we explore include:

• How do traditionally treatment resistant cancers demonstrating poor immunotherapy response (such as osteosarcoma and head and neck cancers) respond to high-LET radiotherapy, and how might this generate therapeutic niches for targeted treatment amplification?
• How do novel delivery methods of radiotherapy, such as spatial fractionation, augment and amplify these effects? 
• Taking a broad view of cancer response to radiation, are there alternate paths by which we can target the cellular response to radiation? 

Your Role

As a Postdoctoral Fellow, you will spearhead cutting-edge projects focusing on novel radiation techniques, small molecule radiosensitizers, and immunotherapy for sarcoma and head and neck cancers. Your research will involve:

• State-of-the-art experimental techniques, including BP proton irradiation in murine tumor models, in vitro alpha particle irradiation, carbon-ion radiotherapeutic delivery in tandem with collaborators in Europe and Asia, and advanced molecular biology methods.
• Multiomics and imaging approaches, such as multiplexed immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, RNA-seq, whole-exome sequencing (WES), (phospho)proteomics, metabolomics/metabolic tracing analysis and spatialomics in tumor models and patient-derived tissues.
• Investigating how high-LET radiation uniquely damages cancer cells, leading to cancer-specific radiosensitization and enhanced immunotherapy responses.

Why Join Us?

Joining the Ebner/Hitosugi Lab means becoming part of an environment that nurtures scientific growth and career development. We offer:

• Access to world-class resources, mentorship, and training
• Opportunities to present at major conferences and collaborate globally
• A supportive environment where you can mentor and be mentored, shaping the future of cancer research

Lab Culture

We thrive on teamwork, diversity, and innovation. Expect a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere, with regular lab meetings, social events, and a shared commitment to advancing cancer research.

We seek candidates with a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Cancer Biology, Radiobiology, DNA Damage/Repair, Immunology, Metabolism or a related field. Preference will be given to those who have at least one first-author publication in the relevant fields.  Experience with the above technologies a plus, as is prior coding experience (Python, R, and/or MatLab). The most important qualities we value are:

• A passion for scientific discovery
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Independence and drive for excellence