J252201
Mentor: Dr. Kent Willis, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology
Description:
A postdoctoral scholar position is open to study mucosal immunology relevant to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The position is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American Heart Association (AHA) and UAB for at least three years to examine the biology of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and the microbiome in the context of chronic lung disease.
The successful applicant will have opportunity to develop multiple projects with direct translational impact using neonatal and adult mouse models in a well-equipped, multi-disciplinary laboratory with strong collaborative opportunities. The applicant will investigate preclinical development of trained immunity in ILC2s using integrated single-cell multiomic sequencing (RNAseq, ATACseq and CUT&RUN), high parameter spectral flow cytometry, microbiome analysis, bioenergetics and in vitro culture of ILC2s isolated from human infants or derived from multiple transgenic mouse models.
The postdoctoral scholar will design, interpret, and perform experiments that address important epigenetic and immunometabolic modulation of transcriptional pathways that underly train immunity in ILC2s, and interrogates their functional behavior and role in chronic lung disease in neonates and adults.
Qualifications:
A Ph.D. degree is required with significant proof of excellence in a high-performing, productive basic science laboratory.
Prior experience with flow cytometry and transgenic mouse modeling is essential, and experience with omic data analysis is strongly preferred, but most importantly, the scholar will possess a high level of self-motivation with a strong interest in the health implications of biomedical research. The successful candidate must be innovative and interested in pursuing an independent research effort upon successful completion of fellowship and a quick adaptor of cutting-edge techniques relevant to systems biology approaches to multiomic analysis.
To apply:
Applicants should submit a CV and names and contact information of three references to:
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology
Attn: Kent Willis, M.D.
1700 6th Avenue South
WIC, Suite 9380
Birmingham, AL 35233
P: 205.934.4680
F: 205.934.3100
E-mail:
About our Postdoc Office
UAB is committed to the development and success of outstanding postdoctoral scientists. Here at UAB, nearly 300 postdoctoral fellows are training currently in a variety of disciplines. Competitive postdoc awards are available including internships, grant incentives, funds to enhance education and collaboration outside UAB, and teaching opportunities at local universities. There is also a Postdoc Research Day with monetary awards. The Office of Postdoctoral Education strongly encourages UAB research mentors to follow the National Research Service Award stipend level guidelines, and postdoctoral scholars qualify for health, life, and other insurances. They also have the right to participate in the university’s 403(b) program and enjoy vacation, sick leave, maternity/paternity leave, and other benefits.
About the University
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a research university and academic health center that discovers, teaches, and applies knowledge for the intellectual, cultural, social, and economic benefit of Birmingham, the state, and beyond. UAB is internationally renowned for its intensely collaborative culture that has — for more than five decades — produced breakthroughs in education, health care, research, and service. UAB was ranked #1 in the United States, and in the top 10 worldwide, in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2018 Young University Rankings.
Spanning more than 100 city blocks, UAB is the state of Alabama’s largest single employer with nearly 28,000 employees and has an annual, state-wide economic impact of $12.1 billion. U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 “America’s Best Graduate Schools” ranks 16 UAB graduate programs among the nation’s top 25 and eight UAB specialties were ranked among the nation’s top 50 in the magazine’s 2022-2023 Best Hospitals report. UAB research grants and awards are at a record high, totaling $715 million in FY22 — a 50% increase over the past five years. UAB ranks 33rd among all universities in federal research funding and 17th among public universities. UAB's NIH funding continues to grow among peer institutions in the Southeast and beyond, with the university ranking 25th among all universities in NIH funding and 11th among public universities.
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