Assistant Research Professor – Brain Tumor Immunology and Therapeutic Delivery

City of Hope

Duarte, CA

Job posting number: #7366619 (Ref:10035150)

Posted: June 25, 2026

Job Description

Join the forefront of groundbreaking research at City of Hope where we're changing lives and making a real difference in the fight against cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening illnesses. Our dedicated and compassionate faculty and staff are driven by a common mission: Contribute to innovative approaches in predicting, preventing, and curing diseases, shaping the future of medicine through cutting-edge research.

The laboratory of Dr. Behnam Badie has an opportunity to join his team as an Assistant Research Professor. Dr. Badie is a physicianscientist and neurosurgeon who leads a highly translational research program focused on immunology, neuroinflammation, and therapeutic innovation for malignant brain tumors.

As a successful candidate, you will:

  • Investigate the role of myeloid-derived cells, neuroinflammation, and tumor-immune interactions in malignant brain tumor progression and therapeutic resistance.

  • Identify therapeutic opportunities through Receptor for Advanced Glycation End products (RAGE) pathway targeting, gene regulation, and evaluation of novel small-molecule RAGE inhibitors in preclinical models.

  • Develop and optimize cell-penetrating oligonucleotides, including siRNA and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), to modulate gene expression in tumor cells and myeloid populations.

  • Design, validate, and advance nanoparticle-based delivery systems for siRNA, ASOs, gene-editing tools, and small molecules.

  • Engineer delivery strategies that enhance blood-brain barrier penetration, tumor specificity, cellular uptake, and immune compatibility.

  • Evaluate pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, efficacy, and toxicity in relevant in vitro and in vivo brain tumor models.

  • Apply CRISPR-based gene editing, gene regulation, functional genomics, transcriptomics, and immunophenotyping approaches to study tumor progression and immune response.

  • Develop translational therapeutic strategies, including nucleic-acid-based immunotherapies, immune-cell-based drug delivery approaches, CAR T-cell collaborations, and bioengineering/device development efforts.

Your qualifications should include:

  • PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in oncology, cancer biology, immunology, immunotherapy, biomedical engineering, or related fields.

  • Expertise in siRNA/ASO therapeutics, nanoparticle delivery systems, gene editing technologies, protein engineering, antibody or fusion-protein design, and translational immunology.

  • Strong publication record and evidence of scientific independence.

  • Experience mentoring postdoctoral fellows and technical staff.

  • Demonstrated or potential ability to obtain extramural funding.

City of Hope employees pay is based on the following criteria: work experience, qualifications, and work location.

City of Hope is an equal opportunity employer.

To learn more about our Comprehensive Benefits, please CLICK HERE.

Salary / Pay Rate Information:
Pay Rate: $62.20 - $73.04 / hour

The estimated pay scale represents the typical [salary/hourly] range City of Hope reasonably expects to pay for this position, with offers determined based on several factors which may include, but not be limited to, the candidate’s experience, expertise, skills, education, job scope, training, internal equity, geography/market, etc. This pay scale is subject to change from time to time.



City of Hope is a community of people characterized by our diversity of thought, background and approach, but tied together by our commitment to care for and cure those with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The innovation that our diversity produces in the areas of research, treatment, philanthropy and education has made us national leaders in this fight. Our unique and diverse workforce provides us the ability to understand our patients' needs, deliver compassionate care and continue the quest for a cure for life-threatening diseases. At City of Hope, diversity and inclusion is a core value at the heart of our mission. We strive to create an inclusive workplace environment that engages all of our employees and provides them with opportunities to develop and grow, both personally and professionally. Each day brings an opportunity to strengthen our work, leverage our different perspectives and improve our patients’ experiences by learning from others. Diversity and inclusion is about much more than policies and campaigns. It is an integral part of who we are as an institution, how we operate and how we see our future.


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More Info

Job posting number:#7366619 (Ref:10035150)
Application Deadline:Open Until Filled
Employer Location:City of Hope
Duarte,California
United States
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