Postdoctoral Fellow

At Houston Methodist, the Postdoctoral Fellow position is responsible for performing basic research duties under the supervision/direction of a Physician and/or Principal Investigator. This position may work in a laboratory setting or may consist of computer work that supports the department's research mission.

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join our lab in the Immunobiology and Transplant Research department at the Houston Methodist Research Institute. Our research focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of innate immune regulation and developing therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular, infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases, with particular emphasis on viral myocarditis, autoimmune myocarditis, and sepsis.

Our laboratory integrates molecular and cellular biology, immunology, genetics, single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and advanced disease models to investigate the mechanisms underlying immune-mediated tissue injury and disease progression. A major goal of our research is to identify novel immune regulators and signaling pathways that can be therapeutically targeted to prevent or treat myocarditis, autoimmune diseases, sepsis, and related inflammatory disorders.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to investigate fundamental and translational questions in cardiovascular immunology and innate immunity using state-of-the-art technologies in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment. The successful candidate will receive strong scientific mentorship and career development support, including opportunities to develop independent research projects, publish high-impact studies, present findings at national and international conferences, and pursue competitive fellowship and career-development funding.

The fellowship is designed to facilitate the candidate’s transition toward independent research funding and future academic or research leadership positions.

• Nature Immunology (2016; PMID: )
• Nature Communications (2017; PMID: )
• Nature Communications (2021; PMID: )
• Nature Communications (2024; PMID: )
• Journal of Biomedical Science (2022; PMID: )
• Experimental & Molecular Medicine (2026; in press)

Exempt

• Postdoctoral Fellow 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 – Doctor of Medicine (MD) from an accredited medical school or Terminal Degree in a related field (A letter from the academic institution certifying that all student work is complete will be considered for Postdoctoral Fellow 0 only.)

• Postdoctoral Fellow 0 – None Postdoctoral Fellow 1 – One year of Postdoc experience
  
  Postdoctoral Fellow 2 – Two years’ Postdoc experience
  
  Postdoctoral Fellow 3 – Three years’ Postdoc experience
  
  Postdoctoral Fellow 4 – Four years’ Postdoc experience

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Demonstrated knowledge of biomedical research
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in the workplace

• Assists the physician in maintaining the functionality and operations of the Principal Investigator’s (PI) laboratory.
• Promotes a positive work environment and leads the team to be dynamic and a focused work unit that actively helps one other to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the department by actively communicating and reporting data in a comprehensive manner.
• Role models to team members effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication, which includes active…