Postdoctoral Associate

Schulze Diabetes Institute
Department of Surgery
Postdoctoral Position in Transplant Tolerance Laboratories

The Transplant Tolerance Laboratories within the Department of Surgery's Schulze Diabetes Institute at the University of Minnesota Medical School is looking for a full-time postdoctoral fellow to support translational immunology work in projects funded by NIH, Breakthrough T1D, and philanthropy. We are a laboratory that supports and conducts hypothesis-driven research at both the
basic and translational levels, with a clear focus on advancing human health. Our overarching mission is to define the molecular mechanisms of peripheral tolerance through in-depth immune monitoring. The laboratories utilize primary specimen from preclinical transplant models and human transplant recipients to develop and test precision immunotherapeutic approaches in the field of transplantation, metabolic disorders, and other diseases.

About the Study

The post-doctoral fellow will work with an interdisciplinary team of PIs and Co-Is within the Schulze Diabetes Institute. The projects focus on deep profiling of immune
pathways that contribute to the induction and maintenance of tolerance in preclinical animal models and human transplant recipients.

Summary of Position:

The Transplantation Tolerance Laboratories (TTL) are looking for an outstanding and highly motivated Postdoctoral Associate with a passion for exciting state-of-the-art technology in the immune monitoring of transplant recipients. Overall, the Schulze Diabetes Institute TTL mission is to develop and optimize cell therapy approaches for use as immunotherapeutics in induction and maintenance of tolerance as well as identify, test, and validate biomarkers in various disease models. The candidate will perform: 1) single cell whole transcriptome and TCR clonotype analysis using short- and long read next generation sequencing, 2) epigenetic profiling of immune cells to discern the temporal alterations induced by the tolerance regimens, 3) spectral flow cytometry for high dimensional analysis of the immune landscape, and 4) ex vivo and in vitro assays to determine the mechanisms of induction and maintenance of tolerance. Candidates will have the opportunity to engage in NIH-funded on-going translational and/or observational cohort studies and develop their own project within the ongoing research in a fast-paced behavioral research environment. This position requires letters of support from at least two colleagues/supervisors.

This individual will work with a team of translational immunologists and report directly to Sabarinathan Ramachandran, Ph.D., Associate Professor, within the Schulze Diabetes
Institute in the Department of Surgery. The individual will perform duties and responsibilities as a post-doctoral researcher in the TTL. General laboratory functions are also expected of this position.

The position responsibilities include:

Molecular mechanisms of Immune Tolerance (75%)

• Obtains training and certification in human subjects' and preclinical animal research.
• Perform hands-on single cell NGS and ATAC sequencing.
• Optimize and validate assays for immune monitoring.
• Perform in vitro functional assays.
• Coordinates, supervises, and assists in data collection.
• Perform large scale manufacturing of cell therapy products with bioreactors at the bench and contribute to research and development of assays with supervision.
• In vitro and ex vivo analysis of the tolerizing cell therapy product to define the mechanisms of action.
• In vitro and ex vivo knock-in and knock-out in immune subsets to define the molecular mechanisms of tolerance.
• Understanding of sample preparation, instrument optimization and data analysis.
• Thawing, washing, purification, culture of T cells, B cells and other cell types using sterile technique.
• Prepare media, and solutions under sterile conditions ahead of time for thawing and culturing cells and performing immunological assays.
• Maintain records of procedures and resultant data manually and electronically.
• Perform basic data quality evaluation, cleaning and normalization of FCS files and help in analyze data using licensed software.
  

Assisting the director with research and development, data management, and preparation of scientific reports (20%)

• Computer knowledge to enter data from experiments into existing databases; spreadsheets and web-based applications.
• Conduct background literature search on relevant topics including current methods, reagents, and ethics. Perform periodic literature reviews.
• Establish and maintain a working knowledge of the principles behind daily work.
• Participates in the UMN PDA: post-doc program activities: presentation and preparation of data into figures, written project updates, oral presentations
  (including lab meetings, post doc seminars, and presentations at local, national, and international meetings); and preparation of manuscripts based on their work.
• Establishes new research protocols and procedures.
• Assist with development of protocol for process improvement projects
• General team and lab duties-first time doing activities will be done in parallel to
  

Tissue Culture Techniques (5%)

• Processing of blood and tissue samples from Human and Nonhuman primates.
• Restocking, ordering and keeping inventory of reagents, solutions and consumables used in the laboratory.
• Culturing cells and changing media with sterile technique, long term sterile culture for immunological assays.
• Participate in lab meetings with collegiate and positive input for the team's work.
• Assist researchers with performing other immunological studies.

Essential Qualification:

• M.D. or Ph.D. in Basic Science, Health Science, or a related field.
• Applies knowledge and skills to a recurring task or activity with emphasis typically on precision and timeliness of execution.
• Experience working with human and nonhuman, mice samples.
• Knowledge of aseptic technique and a familiarity with cell culture techniques.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs.
• Flow cytometry
• Cell culture, CRISPR gene editing
• Work independency
• Publication record

Committed to innovation and diversity, the Medical School educates physicians, scientists, and health professionals; generates knowledge and treatments; and cares for patients and communities with compassion and respect. We value excellence, inclusiveness, collaboration, and discovery.

To learn more about the Department of Surgery, please visit https://med.umn.edu/surgery

Pay Range: $62,232 - $70,344; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

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