Postdoctoral Positions - Microbial Biotherapeutic Development and Microbial-Immune Interactions

The Lynch Lab at the University of California San Francisco has an opening for multiple postdoctoral researchers. We are seeking highly talented and motivated candidates with a strong research background in microbiome or immunology.

One postdoctoral fellow will lead pre-clinical studies using humanized mice to test the efficacy of a rationally designed microbial live biotherapeutic (mLBP) aimed at resolving barrier and mucosal inflammatory dysfunction associated with ulcerative colitis (project 1). Another fellow will lead studies focused on early life microbial-immune metabolic interactions that promote chronic inflammatory diseases of childhood (project 2).

Candidates will be expected to work independently and be active contributors to the collaborative multidisciplinary team of microbiologists, immunologists and biostatisticians who form the Lynch Lab. The successful candidate will report directly to Dr. Susan Lynch but will work closely with collaborators within and outside of the group.

Project 1 (therapeutic for ulcerative colitis)

Responsibilities:

  • Work in collaboration with the Benioff Center for Microbiome Medicine culture facility to isolate strains of interest
  • Perform whole genome sequencing on strains of interest
  • Perform studies of humanized germ-free mice in collaboration with the BCMM Gnotobiotic Collaborative laboratory
  • Apply state of the science immune profiling technologies to assess barrier function and mucosal inflammation in mouse models
  • Utilize next-gen sequencing and mass spectrometry approaches to determine the effect of mLPB supplementation on gut microbiome functional capacity, transcriptional activity and metabolic reprogramming
  • Perform in vitro studies of primary human immune cells to validate immunometabolic mechanism(s) of action

Desired Qualifications:

  • Recent Ph.D. (within the last 3 years) in microbiology, immunology, or a related discipline
  • Background in microbial molecular methods, including whole genome sequencing and annotation
  • Experience with murine models, immune profiling, in vitro immune/microbiota profiling and RNAseq analyses
  • Demonstrated ability to work within a collaborative research team and effectively interact with a broad range of colleagues from distinct disciplines
  • Ability to work independently and productively and to troubleshoot
  • Superb organizational and record-keeping skills
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
     

Project 2 (early life microbial-immune metabolic interactions)

Responsibilities:

  • Utilize next-gen sequencing and mass spectrometry approaches to generate multi-omic datasets on human samples
  • Perform analyses of microbiome datasets
  • Perform in vitro studies of primary human immune cells to validate immunometabolic mechanism(s) of action

Desired Qualifications:

  • Recent Ph.D. (within the last 3 years) in microbiology, immunology, or a related discipline
  • Background in microbial or immunological molecular methods
  • Demonstrated ability to work within a collaborative research team and effectively interact with a broad range of colleagues from distinct disciplines
  • Ability to work independently and productively and to troubleshoot
  • Superb organizational and record-keeping skills
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills

 

Additional Information:

  • Both positions are for full-time postdoctoral appointments with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance and continuing availability of funds.
  • Salary is dependent on years of post-graduate experience.
  • Positions will be based at the Parnassus Campus of the University of California San Francisco.
  • The BCMM houses four collaborative labs – the gnotobiotic mouse, microbial genomics, quantitative metabolite analysis center and microbial culture facilities all of which will be leveraged for this study, offering embedded training opportunities beyond those available in the Lynch lab.

The University of California San Francisco is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Further information about the University of California San Francisco is available at diversity.ucsf.edu. UCSF and in particular the Lynch Lab seeks candidates whose skills and personal and professional experience have prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence, and the communities we serve.

Interested candidates should send their biosketch, cover letter and names of three referees to Dr. Lynch ([email protected]) with the subject title: “Application for Open Postdoc Position” in the subject line.