Postdoctoral Research Associate - Hematology

A postdoctoral research associate position is available in the Yamashita lab.

Project Description:

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) sustain lifelong blood production, and defects in their regulation contribute to diverse hematologic disorders, including clonal hematopoiesis, hematologic malignancies, and aplastic anemia. This project aims to define how T cell–mediated immune surveillance regulates HSC fate in the bone marrow and influences disease outcomes, ranging from immune tolerance and clonal expansion to graft-versus-leukemia activity and bone marrow failure. Using state-of-the-art mouse models, immunologic approaches, and single-cell technologies, the successful candidate will investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern immune–stem cell interactions. These studies will provide fundamental insights into hematopoietic homeostasis and uncover new therapeutic opportunities for hematologic disease.

Position Responsibilities:

• Conduct independent research on T cell–mediated regulation of hematopoietic stem cells and bone marrow immunity.

• Design and perform experiments using mouse models, flow cytometry, molecular biology, and immunological approaches.

• Apply single-cell and other advanced technologies to investigate immune–stem cell interactions and hematologic disease mechanisms.

• Analyze and interpret data, present findings at scientific meetings, and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and contribute to grant and manuscript preparation.

• Mentor students and trainees in a collaborative research environment.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

• PhD, MD, or MD/PhD. in Immunology, Hematology, Stem Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or a related field.

• Demonstrated research productivity and the ability to conduct independent scientific research.

Special Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

Required Qualifications

• Strong background in immunology, hematology, stem cell biology, or a related biomedical discipline.

• Experience with mouse handling and in vivo experimentation.

• Experience with flow cytometry and immune cell phenotyping.

• Experience with standard molecular and cellular biology techniques.

• Ability to design and execute experiments, analyze data, and interpret results independently.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including scientific presentation and manuscript preparation.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.

• Demonstrated commitment to scientific rigor, creativity, and problem-solving.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in T cell biology, hematopoiesis, stem cell biology, or bone marrow microenvironment.

• Experience with genomic, single-cell, or other high-dimensional data analyses.

• Familiarity with CRISPR-based genome engineering, transplantation models, or advanced immunological techniques.

• Experience with vaccine development, immunotherapy, or translational immunology.

• Interest in translational research related to hematologic disorders.

About the lab and St. Jude:

The Yamashita Laboratory seeks to understand how hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain blood production throughout life and how their dysregulation contributes to hematologic disorders. Our research focuses on the molecular mechanisms that govern HSC survival, elimination, and immune surveillance, with the goal of identifying new therapeutic strategies for hematologic disorders, including clonal hematopoiesis, hematologic malignancies, and aplastic anemia. We are committed to providing a collaborative, supportive, and trainee-centered environment that fosters scientific rigor, creativity, and independence while helping postdoctoral fellows develop into future scientific leaders. Learn more about our research and team at https://www.stjude.org/research/labs/yamashita-lab.html.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a world-class research institution dedicated to pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases of childhood. The first and only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Our 300 faculty work across the spectrum of basic, translational, clinical, and population science in a highly collaborative multidisciplinary environment that includes a Nobel laure