Postdoctoral Scholar

The faculty in MBM are united by a common interest in the biology of microbes (bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites) and the effects of microbes on human and animal hosts. The microbial pathogens program studies microorganisms that cause infectious diseases, with emphasis on rigorous analysis of these pathogens and the immune responses that restrict them. Program investigators direct detailed studies of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi and eukaryotic parasites.

Research topics include structural analysis of virus entry, viral evolution, viral oncogenes, intracellular bacterial pathogens, microorganisms that cause diarrhea and pneumonia, intracellular signaling, pathogen adhesion, genetic determinants involved in susceptibility to infection, vaccine development, and identification of novel antimicrobial agents.

We are expanding and seek another postdoctoral fellow or a senior researcher to join our group in microbial immunity in Lyme disease who can take a leadership role in microbial genomic analysis and data integration.

Primary Responsibilities:

* Design and execute mechanistic studies exploring innate and adaptive immune responses mainly to Borrelia spp., and potentially other tick-borne pathogens
* Investigate how host immune pathways/phenotypes are modulated by bacterial genotypes, virulence factors, or products, using in vitro and ex vivo models (histology experience is a plus)
* Microbial culture and experimentation (co-culture with mammalian cells; strain engineering is a plus)
* Analyze datasets of immunological output(s) and link results with clinical information and/or microbial genomic data
* Collaborate with clinician(s), bioinformatician(s), and genomics partners to translate findings into mechanistic insight/therapeutic hypotheses
* Contribute to manuscript preparation, grant proposals, and mentoring of junior lab members.

• Design and execute mechanistic studies exploring innate and adaptive immune responses mainly to Borrelia spp., and potentially other tick-borne pathogens
• Investigate how host immune pathways/phenotypes are modulated by bacterial genotypes, virulence factors, or products, using in vitro and ex vivo models (histology experience is a plus)
• Microbial culture and experimentation (co-culture with mammalian cells; strain engineering is a plus)
• Analyze datasets of immunological output(s) and link results with clinical information and/or microbial genomic data
• Collaborate with clinician(s), bioinformatician(s), and genomics partners to translate findings into mechanistic insight/therapeutic hypothese
• Contribute to manuscript preparation, grant proposals, and mentoring of junior lab members

Basic Requirements:

• Knowledge and skills as typically acquired through Doctorate degree in immunology, microbiology, or a related field
• Willingness to work with infectious agents in a Biosafety Level 2 environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong background in innate and adaptive immune mechanisms, including cytokine signaling, antigen presentation, and effector responses
• Proven experience with primary mammalian immune cells or in vitro infection models (ex., PBMC, macrophages, dendritic cells, fibroblasts)
• Proficiency in flow cytometry, ELISA/MSD, Luminex or other bead-based assays, and molecular biology techniques (ex., q/RT/dd-PCR, CRISPR a huge plus)
• Familiarity with transcriptomic and/or proteomic datasets
• Willingness to work with infectious agents in a Biosafety Level 2 environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team
• Publication record in host-pathogen interactions or translational immunology
• Experience with Borrelia spp. or other tick-borne pathogens is a plus
• Experience with system serology, or gene perturbation (siRNA/CRISPR) is a plus