Post-Doctoral Fellow

Post-Doctoral Fellow

University of Colorado Anschutz

Department: Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases

Job Title: Post-Doctoral Fellow

Position #00848987 - Requisition #40154

Job Summary:

A core mission of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is to carry out cutting-edge basic, translational, and clinical research and train the next generation of scientists.

Dr. Eric Poeschla's laboratory investigates cellular proteins involved in viral replication cycles (HIV-1, other positive strand RNA viruses). Current focus is on innate immune system factors that mediate frontline antiviral defenses and prevent cross-species virus transmission. The lab has pioneered new in vivo models of safe innate immune activation. It now has new specific grant funding, starting in June 2026, to work on therapeutically reprograming' a cellular antiviral system that senses and responds to viral dsRNA (MDA5) to protect people against known and future unknown viruses.

The lab is currently seeking a talented and enthusiastic post-doc to build off a newly-funded project aimed at identification and rational design of MDA5 agonists that can be expressed and delivered - in a range of models including cell line, small animal, and respiratory organoid models - to enable pathogen agnostic activation of innate immunity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Utilize cell line and transgenic mouse models expressing a viral RNA-dependent-RNA-polymerase (RdRp) coupled with immunoprecipitation and high-throughput sequencing to identify self-derived MDA5 ligands. A potential role of MDA5 in causing inflammaging by HIV-1 is also ongoing, using very safe replication-defective viral constructs.
• Iteratively validate and test antiviral properties and immunogenicity of identified RdRp derived MDA5 ligands in cell lines, organoids and nave mice.
• Perform basic cellular, molecular techniques (Western blotting, PCR/qPCR, IHC/IF) and statistical analyses (Microsoft Excel/PRISM/JMP) to supplement experiments.
• Develop/lead hypothesis driven research independently.
• Aid in and independently write manuscripts/grants. We want you to publish!
• Assist with training of junior or new employees/students and with day-to-day lab duties.

Work Location: Onsite - this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, CO.