Research Fellow

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

The Hogan Laboratory within Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join an ongoing research program investigating the cellular and molecular regulation of rare mucosal immune cell populations in allergic and inflammatory disease, with a particular focus on IL-9-producing mucosal mast cells (MMC9s) and their role in IgE-mediated food allergy.

This position requires essential, hands-on expertise in flow cytometric analysis and cell sorting of rare immune cell populations, together with substantial experience performing in vivo mouse experimentation. Prior experience working in Th2-type immunity and mouse models of allergic inflammation is highly advantageous.

Responsibilities include:

• Design and perform multi-parameter flow cytometric analyses to identify, characterize, and quantify rare immune cell populations (e.g., mucosal mast cells, mast cell progenitors, innate lymphoid cells, cytokine-producing subsets) across tissue compartments.
• Perform flow cytometric cell sorting to purify rare immune cell populations for downstream functional, transcriptomic (bulk and single-cell RNA-seq), and in vitro culture assays.
• Conduct in vivo mouse experimentation, including animal handling, epicutaneous sensitization and oral antigen challenge, dosing/injection techniques, bone marrow reconstitution, and tissue harvest across multiple organ systems.
• Design and execute ex vivo and in vitro functional assays to characterize immune cell activation, cytokine production (e.g., IL-9), and degranulation/effector function.
• Contribute to gene expression profiling studies (qPCR, bulk and single-cell RNA-seq) of sorted immune cell populations and support downstream bioinformatic analysis in collaboration with lab members.
• Analyze, interpret, and present data at lab meetings and scientific conferences; contribute to manuscript and grant preparation.
• Maintain detailed and organized records of experiments, protocols, and results.
• Mentor junior lab members (graduate students, technicians) as the research program develops.

Required qualifications include:

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• Demonstrated, hands-on expertise in flow cytometry, including multi-parameter panel design, intracellular/cytokine staining, and analysis and sorting of rare immune cell populations.
• Substantial experience with in vivo mouse models, including animal handling, dosing/injection techniques (oral, intraperitoneal, intravenous, subcutaneous), and tissue harvest across multiple organ systems.
• Strong background in immunology, with direct experience studying immune cell populations and their functional responses.
• Solid foundation in core molecular biology techniques (PCR, cloning, protein expression/purification, Western blot, qRT-PCR).
• Strong record of productivity, evidenced by first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Desired qualifications include:

• Prior experience working in Th2-type immunity and mouse models of allergic inflammation (e.g., food allergy, asthma, atopic dermatitis).
• Prior experience studying mast cells, mast cell progenitors, or other IL-9/IL-13-producing innate immune populations.
• Experience with bone marrow reconstitution or adoptive transfer models.
• Experience with RNA-seq sample preparation and/or bioinformatic analysis of transcriptomic data.
• Prior mentoring experience with junior trainees.

Additional information:

Please send cover letter, CV and references to Simon Hogan at sihogan

Background screening and pre-employment drug testing are conducted in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer.