Postdoctoral Research Associate - Host Microbe Interactions (Kumar Lab)

A Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available in the Kumar Laboratory within the Department of Host-Microbe Interactions at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The Kumar Lab investigates how xenobiotics (medications, dietary compounds) and host immune factors remodel the gut microbiome to alter intestinal homeostasis. We integrate clinical and high-throughput omics datasets with mechanistic molecular microbiology, anaerobic culturomics, and gnotobiotic animal models to dissect how microbiome alterations govern susceptibility to infectious and non-infectious gastrointestinal diseases.

See our recent publication: Kumar et al. Nature, 644, 506-515 (2025)

Position Responsibilities:

We are seeking an ambitious, highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to drive foundational research projects at the intersection of drug-microbiome-immune interactions. The ideal candidate will take high intellectual ownership of primary research initiatives, master and execute sophisticated experimental workflows across molecular microbiology and in vivo modeling, and work closely with the PI to build scientific independence and establish a high-impact publication record.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead Research Projects: Design and execute mechanistic and translational studies investigating drug-microbiome-immune interactions.
• Develop Scientific Independence: Prepare high-impact primary research manuscripts and develop competitive postdoctoral fellowship/training grant applications.
• Innovate Methodologies: Establish and optimize cutting-edge experimental protocols across anaerobic bacteriology, bacterial genetics, and animal models of infection/immunity.
• Mentorship & Collaboration: Mentor undergraduate and graduate rotation students and collaborate actively with investigators across the department and the broader St. Jude research community.
• Institutional Engagement: Actively participate in departmental seminar series, multi-lab work-in-progress meetings, and institutional career development programs.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

Ph.D. in Microbiology, or a related biomedical discipline is required.

Special Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

Required skills include experience with working with bacterial communities/pathogens as well as experience with bacterial genetic manipulation and animal models of infection. Clear demonstration of a track record of research productivity and communication skills in terms of manuscripts published during graduate work is needed. The preferred candidate will have experience in animal models of infection/immunity, anaerobic bacteriology, or computational/microbiome data analysis (familiarity with R/python).

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a Cover Letter (outlining research background, scientific interests, and career goals), an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV), and contact details for 3 professional references.

About the lab and St. Jude:

Mentorship & Training Environment

Joining a newly launching laboratory offers a dedicated, high-engagement training environment:

• Close, regular guidance in experimental design, high-impact manuscript preparation, grant writing, and personalized career strategy.
• High intellectual freedom to lead foundational, visible projects with clear paths to first-author publications.
• Hands-on experience in establishing new models, protocols, and mentoring junior trainees - ideal preparation for independent academic faculty or industry careers.

Key Research Areas & Methodologies used in the lab

• Dissecting drug-microbiome-pathogen interactions and microbial xenobiotic metabolism.
• Genetic manipulation and functional genomics (e.g., transposon mutagenesis) of commensal and enteric pathogens.
• Anaerobic microbiology, culturomics, and synthetic community reconstruction.
• High-throughput sequencing and microbiome data analysis
• Gnotobiotic, germ-free, and conventional mouse models of enteric challenge and mucosal inflammation.
• Intestinal organoid cultures and mucosal barrier assays.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a world-class research institution dedicated to pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases of childhood. The first and only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Our 300 faculty work across the spectrum of basic, translational, clinical, and population science in a highly collaborative multidisciplinary environment that includes a Nobel laureate and members of the National Academy of Science and the National Academy of Medicine. St. Jude is ranked on Fortune Magazine's "Best Workplaces in Health Care & Biopharma" and Glassdoor's "Best Places to Work," and is located in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, a vibrant and friendly city at the historic American crossroads of music, trade, food and culture.

We are in pursuit of the brightest minds in biomedical sciences, individuals poised to contribute to our research progress. Other than access to top-quality scientists and mentors, as a postdoctoral trainee at St. Jude, you will have:

• A Blend of Academic Freedom and Industrial Efficiency : Access to shared resources and facilities led by expert scientists, coupled with cutting-edge technology, accelerates research productivity.
• Customized Professional and Career Growth: Experience specifically designed programs to enhance professional growth and career readiness empowering postdocs for success beyond their training. This includes access to grant writing workshops, individual development plans, teaching and mentoring opportunities, non-research career advancement programs, professional development allowance, and so much more.

• Competitive Compensation: Embark on your journey with a competitive salary starting at $72,500 a year, comprehensive benefits and generous relocation assistance, reflecting our commitment to recognize and invest in talent.
• A Sense of Community: St. Jude fosters a vibrant postdoc community that supports a well-balanced life. A dynamic environment promotes connections and camaraderie among postdocs from all backgrounds.

We are committed to a human-centered hiring experience. Technology may support portions of our process, but recruiting decisions involve human review and engagement. Learn more about our approach to AI .

St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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