Postdoctoral Fellow – Translational Vascular Biology and Trauma Research

Postdoctoral Fellow – Translational Vascular Biology and Trauma Research

Department: Surgery / Trauma, Acute Care Surgery and Surgical Critical Care
Institution: Tulane University School of Medicine
Principal Investigator: Dr. Sharven Taghavi
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join a multidisciplinary translational research program investigating mechanisms of organ failure after trauma, with a focus on endothelial glycocalyx biology, inflammatory signaling pathways including IL‑22/STAT3, and lung‑kidney crosstalk in ARDS and AKI. The laboratory integrates basic, mechanistic, and translational models spanning murine injury systems, large‑animal models, human biospecimens, and cell‑based assays. The fellow will lead hypothesis‑driven projects while contributing to collaborative NIH‑funded studies aimed at identifying therapeutic targets to prevent multi‑system organ failure.

The fellow will work within a collaborative research ecosystem that includes translational trauma programs, access to clinical biospecimens and prospective registries, advanced microscopy and molecular biology platforms, biostatistics and data science core support, and cross‑disciplinary mentorship with clinicians, engineers, and immunologists.

• Design and execute mechanistic experiments in vascular and inflammatory biology.
• Perform in vivo studies using murine injury models such as shock, acute lung injury, and acute kidney injury.
• Conduct endothelial cell culture and signaling assays.
• Analyze multimodal datasets including molecular, physiologic, and histologic data.
• Participate in large‑animal translational experiments (training provided).
• Prepare manuscripts, abstracts, and grant applications.
• Present findings at national scientific meetings.
• Mentor students and research staff.

• PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in physiology, immunology, vascular biology, biomedical engineering, or a related field.
• Strong experimental design and data interpretation skills.
• Record of first‑author publications or equivalent scholarly productivity.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

• Experience with endothelial biology or vascular permeability assays.
• Experience with inflammatory signaling pathways.
• Experience with animal injury models.
• Experience with confocal or intravital microscopy.
• Experience with omics or bioinformatics analysis.

• Strong computer skills, including an advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and/or PowerPoint software applications. Ability to design and develop high quality scientific graphs is highly preferred.
• Skills in biostatistical analysis.
• Solid analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Motivation to independently work on research assignments and create new projects, as assigned by the PI.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multi‑task and prioritize work assignments.
• Ability to give oral presentation of experimental results in lab meetings and research conferences.
• Ability to review journal manuscripts and provide critiques.

This position is designed for candidates pursuing careers in academic medicine, translational science, or independent research leadership. Fellows will receive structured mentorship in grant writing, scientific communication, study design and rigor, and translational research methodology.

Salary and benefits are commensurate with NIH postdoctoral stipend guidelines and institutional policies.

Applicants should submit a CV, cover letter describing research interests and career goals, and contact information for three references to

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