About the role
Position Title: Postdoctoral Fellow in Peptide Chemistry and Cancer Immunotherapy
The Peptide Laboratory at the Indiana University School of Medicine is seeking an outstanding and highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join a multidisciplinary research program focused on the discovery and translation of next-generation peptide-based cancer immunotherapies.
The laboratory has pioneered B-cell epitope peptide vaccines targeting immune checkpoint molecules and oncogenic growth factor receptors and is advancing novel multivalent and multispecific vaccine platforms toward clinical translation. The successful candidate will lead innovative projects integrating peptide chemistry, structural immunology, cancer biology, and translational immunotherapy.
This position offers the opportunity to work in a highly collaborative environment with access to state-of-the-art chemistry, proteomics, immunology, and animal research cores while contributing to projects with strong publication, patent, and clinical translation potential.
Research Focus
Current research programs include:
- Therapeutic peptide vaccines targeting PD-1, CTLA-4, TIGIT, IL1RAP, HER-2/HER-3, VEGF, and other immune and tumor-associated targets
- Development of multispecific and multivalent peptide vaccine platforms
- Peptide conjugation using click chemistry and advanced linker technologies
- Structural design and optimization of conformational B-cell epitopes
- Combination immunotherapy with chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immune checkpoint modulation
- Translation of peptide vaccines from preclinical models to Phase I clinical trials
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
- Synthesize therapeutic peptide vaccine candidates using Fmoc solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS).
- Develop and optimize peptide conjugation strategies, including CuAAC, SPAAC, thiol-maleimide coupling, PEGylation, and multivalent scaffold assembly.
- Purify and characterize peptides using analytical and preparative HPLC, LC-MS, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.
- Execute studies evaluating vaccine immunogenicity and antitumor efficacy in preclinical models.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams in chemistry, immunology, oncology, and bioinformatics.
- Analyze and interpret experimental data and maintain detailed laboratory records.
- Prepare manuscripts for publication in high-impact journals.
- Contribute to NIH grant applications, progress reports, and intellectual property development.
- Mentor graduate students, technicians, and undergraduate trainees.
- Present research findings at national and international scientific meetings.
IU School of Medicine is committed to being a welcoming campus community and we seek candidates whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments for all students, staff, and faculty. We invite individuals who will join us in our mission to improve health equity and well-being for all throughout the state of Indiana.
Indianapolis is the capital and most populous city in the State of Indiana. It is growing economically thanks to a strong corporate base anchored by the life sciences. Indiana is home to one of the nation’s largest concentrations of health sciences companies. Indianapolis has a sophisticated blend of charm and culture with a wonderful balance of business and leisure. The growing residential base is supported by rich amenities and quality of life – the city possesses a variety of professional sports, arts venues, and outdoor recreation areas. Residents of this dynamic city and surrounding suburbs enjoy leading educational systems and top-ranked universities paired with a diverse population. Indianapolis International Airport is a top-ranked international airport that has been named “Best Airport in North America” by Airports Council International for many years. For additional information on life in
Indy: https://faculty.medicine.iu.edu/relocation
Faculty Affairs and Professional Development | IU School of Medicine
Basic Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Immunology, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated expertise in peptide synthesis and purification.
- Strong publication record in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- Experience designing and troubleshooting independent research projects.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to collaborative research.
Preferred Qualifications
Preference will be given to candidates with expertise in one or more of the following:
- Automated and manual Fmoc solid-phase peptide synthesis
- Peptide cyclization and constrained peptide design
- Click chemistry (CuAAC and SPAAC)
- Bioconjugation chemistry and linker design
- Reverse-phase HPLC method development
- LC-MS and MALDI-TOF characterization
- Cancer immunology
- Tumor immunology
- Vaccine development
- Immune checkpoint biology
- Mouse models of cancer
- Flow cytometry
- ELISA and antibody characterization
Cell culture and molecular biology techniques
Department Contact for Questions
Gerri Herron
HR Coordinator
geherron@iu.edu
Additional Qualifications
Special Instructions
Priority Application Review Deadline
Expected Start Date
11/02/2026
Posting Number
IUSM-02499-2026
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