Postdoctoral Scientist - Mao-Draayer Lab

Mao-Draayer Lab Department:
Arthritis & Clinical Immuno

Location:

Oklahoma City, OK

The Mao-Draayer Lab is a translational immunology laboratory focused on understanding the pathogenesis, prediction, prevention and precision treatment of immune-mediated diseases to improve patients' lives. We have large, complex experimental datasets partnered with detailed clinical data to help better understand disease and improve treatments. Join our dynamic team in a well‑funded research group in an autoimmune disease center of excellence. We are focused on identifying and characterizing mechanisms of autoimmune disease onset and flare, including regulatory immune mechanisms.

We are seeking Postdoctoral Scientists with a strong immunology background to be part of the team working to understand mechanisms of autoimmune disease in humans by leveraging the extensive resources and data available from our well‑characterized clinical cohorts. The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic team with synergistic skills and experiences and will be given the opportunity to develop projects that complement the overall directions of the group.

The team utilizes flow cytometry, deep cellular phenotyping, high throughput bimolecular assays, single‑cell genomic, proteomic, chromatin conformation/epigenetic and computational and bioinformatics analyses through resources in our Human Phenotyping and Translational Informatics Cores. We also have access to high performance computational resources both in‑house and through cloud‑based resources. Trainees have the opportunity to participate in large, national NIH‑funded consortia. This is a mentored position for postdoctoral training.

Individuals at this level plan, design and conduct research experiments; manage research projects; prepare reports and papers for publication, presentation and future research; contribute to grant writing and are encouraged to write applications for fellowships; learn the complexities of research lab management and participate in various lab activities.

• Conduct scientific research
• Manage research projects
• Present scientific information both formally and informally
• Prepare papers for publication
• Contribute to grant writing
• Perform lab responsibilities as assigned
• Work collaboratively and collegially as part of the team while developing skills needed as an independent scientist

Knowledge of the principles and practices of scientific theory and research; demonstrates skill in formulating and testing hypotheses; demonstrates ability to conduct scientific research analysis and summarize data and results; writes technical, scientific papers; writes grants and communicates effectively both orally and in writing; mentor students; provides analytic support and input to other projects in the group and guides/directs the work of less senior scientists.

• Ph.D. in a biological science, immunology, chemistry, physics or other relevant area, M.D., or equivalent.
• Highly motivated and enthusiastic about science.
• Must be detail‑oriented, organized, and able to work independently, as well as part of a team.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate and write summaries of result.
• Must be efficient with time and project management.
• Must have the ability to multi‑task and work both independently and as a member of an interdisciplinary team with complementary skill sets.

• Doctorate in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Pathology, Clinical Science, or related field.
• Publication of at least 2–3 peer‑reviewed publications, ideally as a first‑author.
• Experience planning and efficiently executing mechanistic studies in human model systems.
• Strong immunology expertise, preferably with human immunology/clinical immunology experience.
• Evidence of applied analysis experience of immune and genetic data.