Postdoctoral Associate, Pulmonary Center, Department of Medicine

Postdoctoral Associate, Pulmonary Center, Department of Medicine

The Department of Medicine at Boston University, Bosmann Laboratory, is recruiting highly motivated postdoctoral fellows to work on projects in immunology and host–pathogen interactions. The immune system protects against invading pathogens and opportunistic microbes at barrier surfaces such as the lung and gut. Dysregulation of these interactions plays a critical role in bacterial infections (including pneumonia and sepsis) as well as inflammatory bowel disease.

In the absence of fully effective therapeutic options, these microbe-driven inflammatory diseases represent a major and growing burden on health care systems worldwide. Our laboratory is dedicated to achieving a mechanistic understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of bacterial infections and host–pathogen interactions, with the goal of identifying and evaluating novel therapeutic targets. Please see our publication in Nature Communications. 2020 Aug 12;11(1):4035.

A particular emphasis is placed on novel genes, for which our laboratory has generated multiple genetically engineered mouse models. We seek outstanding postdoctoral candidates with strong career potential to advance our experimental and translational research programs. Depending on the interests and background of the trainee, projects may focus on IBD-related mucosal immunity or on pneumonia and sepsis, or on shared immune mechanisms across these disease contexts.

Key areas of interest include:

• Bacterial polyphosphates in immunity at barrier organs (gut and lung)
• Host–pathogen interactions
• Innate immune cells, including macrophages, neutrophils and T cells
• Cytokine biology and immune signaling pathways (e.g. G-protein signaling)

Pathogens of interest include Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Legionella spp., and others. Projects will be individually tailored to align with the qualifications and scientific interests of the postdoctoral fellow. The research environment offers access to a broad spectrum of state-of-the-art immunological techniques, including single-cell transcriptomics (scRNA-Seq, TOTAL-Seq) and phospho-/proteomics. Data analysis is supported by an experienced bioinformatician within the laboratory.

Preferred candidates will have prior experience in experimental immunology, mouse models of infection or inflammation, innate immunity, and/or transcriptomic or proteomic approaches.