Postdoctoral Fellow – Translational Vascular Biology and Trauma Research

Employer: Tulane University School of Medicine

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

Salary: Commensurate with NIH postdoctoral stipend guidelines and institutional policies

Closing date: Apr 28, 2026

Discipline: Health Sciences, Translational Research

Position Type: Full Time

Job Type: Postdoc

Organization Type: Academia

Job Details

Department: Surgery / Trauma, Acute Care Surgery and Surgical Critical Care

Institution: Tulane University School of Medicine

Principal Investigator: Dr. Sharven Taghavi

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join a multidisciplinary translational research program investigating mechanisms of organ failure after trauma, with a focus on endothelial glycocalyx biology, inflammatory signaling pathways including IL-22/STAT3, and lung–kidney crosstalk in ARDS and AKI. The laboratory integrates basic, mechanistic, and translational models spanning murine injury systems, large-animal models, human biospecimens, and cell-based assays. The fellow will lead hypothesis-driven projects while contributing to collaborative NIH-funded studies aimed at identifying therapeutic targets to prevent multi-system organ failure.

Research Environment

The fellow will work within a collaborative research ecosystem that includes translational trauma programs, access to clinical biospecimens and prospective registries, advanced microscopy and molecular biology platforms, biostatistics and data science core support, and cross-disciplinary mentorship with clinicians, engineers, and immunologists.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute mechanistic experiments in vascular and inflammatory biology.
• Perform in vivo studies using murine injury models such as shock, acute lung injury, and acute kidney injury.
• Conduct endothelial cell culture and signaling assays.
• Analyze multimodal datasets including molecular, physiologic, and histologic data.
• Participate in large-animal translational experiments (training provided).
• Prepare manuscripts, abstracts, and grant applications.
• Present findings at national scientific meetings.
• Mentor students and research staff.

Required Qualifications

• PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in physiology, immunology, vascular biology, biomedical engineering, or a related field.
• Strong experimental design and data interpretation skills.
• Record of first-author publications or equivalent scholarly productivity.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with endothelial biology or vascular permeability assays.
• Experience with inflammatory signaling pathways.
• Experience with animal injury models.
• Experience with confocal or intravital microscopy.
• Experience with omics or bioinformatics analysis.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies typically needed to perform this job successfully:

• Strong computer skills, including an advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and/or Power Point software applications. Ability to design and development of high quality scientific graphs is highly preferred.
• Skills in biostatistical analysis
• Solid analytical skills and attention to detail
• Motivation to independently work on research assignments and create new projects, as assigned by the PI.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize work assignments.
• Ability to give oral presentation of experimental results in lab meetings and research conferences.
• Ability to review journal manuscripts and provide critiques.

Training and Career Development

This position is designed for candidates pursuing careers in academic medicine, translational science, or independent research leadership. Fellows will receive structured mentorship in grant writing, scientific communication, study design and rigor, and translational research methodology.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary and benefits are commensurate with NIH postdoctoral stipend guidelines and institutional policies.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit a CV, cover letter describing research interests and career goals, and contact information for three references to https://apply.interfolio.com/175103

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Tulane University is an equal opportunity educator and employer committed to providing an education and employment environment free of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Legally protected demographic classifications (such as a person’s race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, shared ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws) are not relied upon as an eligibility, selection or participation criteria for Tulane’s employment or educational programs or activities.

Tulane University is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing an application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the Office of Human Resources by phone at 504-865-4748 or by email at hr@tulane.edu.