Postdoctoral Associate | JAX/Connecticut Children's Medical Hospital

The Jalili Lab /Connecticut Children’s GI collaboration is seeking a highly motivated and talented postdoctoral fellow to join our team. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research projects related to establishing an in vitro gastrointestinal host immune-microbiome culture model for disease modeling and therapeutic development. The project involves multiple technologies, including organoid engineering, organ-on-a-chip platforms, microfluidics, and microbiome science, for modeling intestinal inflammatory conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, and eosinophilic esophagitis. We will use mouse- and patient-derived cells/organoids and microbiomes, in concert with our complex Organ Chip models, to study the underlying mechanisms of these diseases and the role of immune cells in regulating and responding to intestinal microbiota. The postdoctoral scientist will help lead an exciting project that applies to a broad range of cutting-edge technologies, such as Organ-on-a-Chip development, organoid culture, microbiome sequencing, single-cell transcriptomics, metagenomics and proteomics. This position also leverages collaboration between clinicians and investigators at the Jackson Laboratory, Connecticut Children’s, and UConn Health. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in biomedical engineering, organoid culture, and immunology . Prior research experience in gastroenterology is preferred.

JAX has a vibrant and interactive research and training environment characterized by multidisciplinary scientific collaboration, unparalleled mouse resources, and outstanding core services. In addition to lab-based training, JAX has developed a unique program for trainees to expand their professional skills in science communication, entrepreneurship, teaching, mentoring and laboratory management to best prepare postdocs for future career opportunities. In Connecticut, JAX resides in the scenic town of Farmington, in the state’s capitol region. The Hartford region, which offers some of the best public schools in the country, is made up of both bigger cities and smaller, charming historic New England towns. JAX Genomic Medicine is also geographically located within 1.5-2 hours of Boston and New York and is close to multiple transportation systems, including bus lines, highways, railroads and international airports.

The clinical component collaborating on these projects is the Division of Digestive Diseases, Hepatology, and Nutrition at Connecticut Children’s. The Division currently has 15 physicians, 3 research coordinators, and 6 dieticians. It sees over 15,000 patient visits per year and currently cares for 900 patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, 500 with celiac disease, and 500 with eosinophilic esophagitis. The Division is led by Dr. Jeffrey Hyams the current co-PI of the $14M NIH-supported CAMEO study: Clinical, imaging, and endoscopic outcomes of children newly diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biomedical sciences, bioengineering, microbiology, immunology or related field of study.
• Strong skillsets in cell and tissue engineering
• Strong training background in bioengineering, immunoengineering and cell biology.
• Experience in  in vivo models, gastroenterology research, bacterial cultures, host-microbiome interactions, and multi-omics approaches are particularly preferred.
• Candidates should have at least one 1st author publication record in peer-reviewed journal.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, able to work independently and effectively with other members in a productive team.

To apply

Interested candidates must submit all three application components listed below. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• A cover letter summarizing research training and accomplishments
• A personal statement of scientific interests and career goals (1-page maximum)
• Current CV with publications and contact information of three references

The Jalili lab supports postdocs that have either academic or non-academic long-term career goals, international candidates, women and candidates from all backgrounds. We truly believe in equal opportunity for all. For more information about the Jalili laboratory, please visit: .

JAX Salary

Year 0 - 1: $65,589

Year 1 - 2: $67,318

Year 2 - 3: $69,095

Year 3 - 4: $70,521

Year 4 - 5: $72,877

Year 5 - 6: $75,569

Based on years of experience as Postdoc

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit .

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.