Postdoctoral Scholar

Postdoctoral Research Position

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research position in the laboratory of Dr. Anupriya Agarwal at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. The Agarwal laboratory focuses on identifying novel intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways that are requisite for leukemia progression, clonal evolution, and drug resistance. The work will focus on discovering the mechanisms of leukemia initiation and drug resistance using multi-omics approaches in murine models and primary human samples for funded projects.

Dr. Agarwal and her team have been focusing for over the past 20 years on identifying novel signaling pathways that are requisite for leukemia initiation, clonal evolution, and drug resistance. The new team member will help lead the project focused on understanding the mechanisms of leukemia initiation and drug resistance. The project will use a variety of advanced molecular biology techniques, CRISPR methods, and flow cytometry analysis, along with single-cell transcriptomic, epigenetic, and genomic profiling in premalignant and malignant models. The candidate is required to have experience in hematology, including functional assays and molecular biology methods, and to work with primary samples using murine models and human samples. A candidate should also be able to perform complex data analysis and downstream analyses using computational approaches. Applicants will need to possess strong technical and organizational skills as well as the ability to manage an independent project.

A PhD with 0-2 years of research experience in the relevant field is preferred. Laboratory experience in hematology or a related field is preferred. Experience with sequencing library preparation, epigenetics, flow cytometry, or murine disease models would be especially beneficial. Achieving this position requires that the researcher have demonstrated a satisfactory track record of scholarly activity, including high-quality peer-reviewed publications. We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who is capable and willing to make maximum use of excellent facilities and a productive environment.

The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute is a pioneer in personalized cancer treatment and research, led by Dr. Brian Druker, whose development of Gleevec transformed Chronic Myeloid Leukemia from a fatal disease to a manageable one and proved that targeted therapies can work. The institute focuses on precision oncology, the early detection, prevention, and treatment of cancer, and creating a welcoming and supportive environment for its caregivers, researchers, and support personnel. Knight affiliates subscribe to three guiding principles: we are bold, we are supportive, and we work as a connected team in our fight to end cancer as we know it. We'd love for you to join us!

Relevant publications for the position are below:

• Mohammadhosseini, M, Enright T, Duvall A, Chitsazan A, Lin HY, Ors A, Davis B, Nikolova O, Bresciani E, ….Gritsman K, Godley L, Horwitz M, Keel S, Castilla L, Demir E, Mohammed H, Liu P, Agarwal A. Targeting the CD74 signaling axis suppresses inflammation and rescues defective hematopoiesis in RUNX1 -Familial Platelet Disorder. Science Translational Medicine. 2025, 17(780), PMID:39772771. *Corresponding author
• Lin HY, M Hosseini M, McClatchy J, Villamor-Payà M, Jeng S, Bottomly D, Tsai CF, Posso C, Jacobson J, Adey AC, Gosline SJC, Liu T, McWeeney SK, Stracker TH, Agarwal A. The TLK-ASF1 histone chaperone pathway plays a critical role in IL-1b-mediated AML progression. Blood. 2024 Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38498025. *Corresponding author
• Modak RV, de Oliveira Rebola KG, McClatchy J, Mohammadhosseini M, Damnernsawad A, Kurtz SE, Eide CA, Wu G, Laderas T, Nechiporuk T, Gritsenko MA, Hansen JR, Hutchinson C, Gosline SJC, Piehowski P, Bottomly D, Short N, Rodland K, McWeeney SK, Tyner JW, Agarwal A. Targeting CCL2/CCR2 signaling overcomes MEK inhibitor resistance in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Clin Cancer Res. 2024. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38451486. *Corresponding author
• McClatchy J, Strogantsev R, Wolfe E, Estabrook J, Lin, HY, Mohammadhosseini M, Davis BA, Eden C, Goldman D, Fleming WH, Cimmino L, Mohammed H, Agarwal A. Clonal hematopoiesis-related TET2 loss-of-function impedes IL1β-mediated epigenetic reprogramming in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Nature Communications 2023, 8102 PMC10703894 *Corresponding author
• Kurtz S, Eide CA, Kaempf A, Long N, Bottomly D, Nikolova O, Druker BJ, McWeeney SK, Tyner JW, Agarwal A. Associating Ex Vivo Drug Sensitivity with Differentiation Status Identifies Effective Drug Combinations for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Blood Advances 2022, 6(10): 3062-3067.
• Hosseini MH, Kurtz SE, Abdelhamed S, Mahmood S, Davare, MA, Kaempf A, Elferich J, McDermott JE, Liu T, Shinde U, Rodland KD, Mori M, Druker BJ, Singer JK, Agarwal. Inhibition of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-1 is a therapeutic strategy for acute myeloid leukemia subtypes. Leukemia. 2018, 32(11):2374-87. PMC6558520

Required Qualifications

• PhD
• Minimum of 4 years as a graduate student
• Specialty: Molecular Biology
• In depth knowledge of specific areas of responsibility
• Ability to operate complex scientific equipment
• Passion for science and inquiry
• Ability to synthesize one's own results and others to formulate hypotheses
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks at one time
• Must have excellent communication, analytical and organizational skills: both written and verbal
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team while being

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD degree in Cancer Biology or hematology field
• Prior experience with the analysis of single cell OMICS platform
• Experience with murine models, including xenograft implantation and drug treatments, is preferred
• Experience in performing transcriptomic and epigenetic studies is preferred
• Experience with basic bioinformatics skills is preferred

Additional Details

Apply online. Please be sure to upload a Cover Letter and Resume/CV.

We offer a variety of benefits on top of joining a thriving organization:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage at no or low cost to employees Covered 100% for full-time employees and 88% for dependents
• Several retirement plans to choose from with contributions from OHSU
• 120 hours of vacation time per year
• 96 hours of sick leave a year (prorated for part-time employees)
• Commuter subsidies
• Tuition reimbursement
• Access to group life insurance, disability insurance and other supplemental benefits
• Annual Raises
• Growth/Development Opportunities
• Employee discounts to local and major businesses

Why Apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact View email address on click.appcast.io