"Post Doc - Microbiology and Immunology"

Job Summary

Koushik Roy Lab in the Department of Pathology at the University of Utah has an opening for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate the immune response to viral and/or gut infections. A robust B cell response is protective; however, sustained B cell activation can lead to chronic diseases like cancer and/or autoimmunity. The project involves investigating antibody and memory B cell responses to viral and/or gut infections, as well as their links to cancer and autoimmunity. We aim to uncover and comprehend the molecular mechanisms that foster effective immune memory while preventing the development of cancer and/or autoimmunity, which may ultimately lead to the development of a therapeutic strategy for chronic diseases. The ideal candidate will possess the skills or interest in pursuing a career in immunology research, with a focus on immunity to chronic diseases. The position will be open until we find an appropriate candidate.

Required Expertise

• Multicolor Flow Cytometry
• Infection in mice and isolating immune organs
• Expertise in one of the following fields: viral immunology, mucosal immunology, or cancer immunology

Opportunities

This position will provide you with the unique opportunity to drive research projects, employing a cross-disciplinary approach to immunology, genome editing, and omics techniques, as well as work with transgenic mouse models of infections and other chronic diseases. We will provide mentorship to enable competencies for the job, grant writing, and foster networking through collaboration both within and outside the institute. The position will be based at the University of Utah School of Medicine, ranked among the top 30 public research universities in the United States. You will have the opportunity to work alongside other world-class scientists, develop your skills, and advance your career.

About the Lab and PI

The Roy lab was established in April 2021 at the University of Utah. We aim to understand the mechanisms that control long-lasting protective immune memory and develop a therapeutic approach to treat chronic diseases. We have a strong interest in providing quality training to postdoctoral scholars and students, enabling them to become independent and overcome professional setbacks. The Roy lab has recently received funding from NIH. Previous publications from the Roy Lab/PI in this research direction are Immunity and PNAS. Dr. Koushik Roy is a recipient of the American Society of Hematology Scholar Award and other competitive awards.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct mouse experiments to study immune memory in response to infection.
• Culture immune cells and knock out genes to study the function of a gene in immune memory.
• Analysis and interpretation of data, as well as writing peer-reviewed publications.
• Present findings at the lab meeting, collaborative meeting, and conferences.
• Collaborate with a cross-disciplinary team and mentor junior researchers.

Minimum Qualifications

Preferences

• PhD awarded within 2 years
• Knowledge of antibody and memory B cell responses
• Knowledge in molecular immunology or cell signaling pathways
• Retroviral/lentiviral transduction in immune cells