Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Neuroimmunology
Cures Start Here. At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, home to three Nobel laureates, interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists seek new and innovative ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. Fred Hutch’s pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation led to the development of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to treat cancer. An independent, nonprofit research institute based in Seattle, Fred Hutch houses the nation’s first cancer prevention research program, as well as the clinical coordinating center of the Women’s Health Initiative and the international headquarters of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Careers Start Here.
At Fred Hutch, we believe that the innovation, collaboration, and rigor that result from diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission of eliminating cancer and related diseases. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an antiracist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, antiracism, and inclusion.
The Talbot lab, within the Basic Science Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, is recruiting for a talented postdoctoral fellow with expertise in immunology or molecular neuroscience. Candidates with strong expertise in molecular biology that want to transition to the neuroimmunology field are also highly recommended to apply.
The Talbot lab focus on understanding how functional interactions between neurons and immune cells (especially in the gut) can coordinate intestinal immune and metabolic functions in response to the diet and to microbes. Our goal is to providing insights into: how neurons and immune cells communicate in the gut; how microbes and components of the diet can activate gut neurons, affecting intestinal immune-metabolic functions; and how these neuroimmune circuits control gut function, e.g. nutrient absorption. This also includes understanding the relevance of perturbations in neuro-immune interactions to the development of intestinal disfunctions, as the ones present in inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal infections, and diabetes.
Our lab uses and develop cutting edge technologies to unravel how neurons can integrate distinct physiological functions and immune responses. It includes methods of molecular immunology, neuronal circuit tracing, neuronal activation control using opto/chemogenetics, labeling active neuronal circuits, gene editing using CRISPR-Cas9, single cell genomics, and microbiology.
This research offers the opportunity to study an intersection of different areas including molecular neuroscience, intestinal immunology, host-microbiota interaction, nutrition and gastroenterology.
One objective of these studies is to develop strategies that use modulation of gut neurons to combat gastrointestinal-associated diseases, as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gut infections with pathogens, malabsorption conditions, and metabolic disturbances.
More information: https://www.jhimmylab.org/
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will have the ability to work both independently and in a highly collaborative environment.
The fellow will be responsible for developing and executing a project related to the interests of the lab. Namely, investigating the role of neuroimmune interactions in intestinal homeostasis using a mouse model system. Potential research topics include to investigate:
- The cellular and molecular mechanisms by which dietary components, microbial products and immune factors modulate the function of gut neurons.
- The immune mechanisms (cellular and molecular) promoting plasticity of the enteric nervous system during intestinal perturbations (inflammatory, microbial and in the diet).
- The role of specific neuro-immune circuits to the development of intestinal inflammatory diseases, and to host-microbiota interactions.
- How specific neuro-immune circuits can coordinate distinct intestinal functions (immune and metabolic).
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- PhD in molecular/cell biology, molecular neuroscience, immunology, computational biology, or related field.
- Published evidence of productivity and creativity and strong analytical and interpersonal skills are required.
- Eligibility and desire to apply for future fellowships is important.
- Excellent knowledge of fundamental molecular and cell biology, biochemistry.
- Experience using molecular techniques for cloning and for analysis of nucleic acids and proteins.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experienced in essential techniques used to characterize human immune cells and must be comfortable working.
- Experience next generation sequencing data analysis (or experience with Python and/or R).
- Knowledge in next generation sequencing data experimentation (e.g., ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, scRNAseq, etc.).
- Experience in complex breeding (genotypes) of different strains of mice and animal colony maintenance.
- Knowledge of molecular neuroscience and viral vector generation.
- Experience using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.
A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.
Our Commitment to Diversity
We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to our Employee Services Center at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.