Job Description
Research Focus:
The Kean lab is working to solve the mystery of immune recognition and immune tolerance.
Immune recognition is the process by which the immune system tells the difference between the body’s own cells and outside invaders, such that it can identify viruses, bacteria and cancers it needs to eradicate. Immune tolerance is the process by which the immune system specifically turns itself off to avoid autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, Crohn’s disease and lupus.
Immune tolerance is also critical after bone marrow transplantation, such that the newly transplanted cells can survive in the patient and not cause graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which is the deadliest complication associated with bone marrow transplantation.
Unraveling immune tolerance will lead to new techniques that overcome transplant rejection and prevent GVHD. It will enable us to use bone marrow transplants to treat HIV and other complex diseases. It will increase our understanding of how best to prevent and treat autoimmune diseases. And it will inform our attempts to augment the immune system to treat diseases such as chronic infections and malignancies.
Qualifications
Highly motivated applicants with a PhD degree in immunology, pathophysiology or a related field are invited to apply.
The candidate must be independent in scientific research and writing, self-motivated, ethical, team spirited, and must have exceptional laboratory, communication, organizational, and writing skills.
*Skills/abilities requirements *
• Strong background in molecular/cell biology and/or immunology (primary cell harvesting and culturing; PCR methods; immunophenotyping and functional assays using polychromatic flow cytometry) is essential.
• Experience/interest in systems biology and computational methods is desirable.
Boston Children’s Hospital or Dana Farber Cancer Institute are an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or disability.
