Summary

A postdoc position is available at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. We are looking for a highly motivated candidate interested in studying how the microbiome contributes to intestinal inflammation and systemic disorders (such as the brain) using sophisticated mouse models and mouse/human intestinal organoids. The goal of this NIH-funded project is to identify the underlying mechanisms through which short telomeres and the microbiome predispose patients to intestinal inflammation and disorders of the brain. The work will cover several exciting novel research areas including microbiome-intestinal and microbiome-brain interaction.

This position offers the opportunity to learn about the emerging field of the microbiome and its impact on human health and disease.

Job Duties

• Possesses the intellectual and organizational ability to work on the project alone and in a team.
• Performs animal and cell studies.
• Collects and organizes data.
• Carries out other lab-related work as needed.
• Acquires the theoretical and practical knowledge in the area of telomere, microbiome and brain disorders such as autism through reading and working with others.
• Plans and carries out mouse and cell studies, including analysis of tissues and mouse and human organoids.
  • Carry out mouse studies, including:
    • analyzing tissues at the RNA (single cell RNAseq, RT-qPCR),
    • protein (IHC, western blot, proteomics) and structural (electron and scanning microscopy) level.
• Generates intestinal organoids from mice and patients and performs studies to understand the impact of telomere shortening and the microbiome on intestine and the brain.
• Performs microbial studies to understand how the microbiome affects brain disorders such as autism.

Minimum Qualifications

• MD or Ph.D. in Basic Science, Health Science, or a related field.
• No experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• The qualifications that are required are a PhD or MD with sufficient experience in basic science.
• The ideal candidate would be familiar with intestinal organoid work and mouse models.
• Knowledge of microbiology and microbiome would be advatageous.
  • Motivated candidates without prior experience in these areas, but strong motivation to learn will be considered.
• Knowledge of common molecular techniques is required.
• A proof of excellence through publications in peer-reviewed journals is important.
• The candidate should be proficient in spoken and written English.
• The ideal candidate should be curious, self-motivated, and interested in working with others.
• This position will provide a supportive and highly innovative scientific environment and offer excellent opportinuties to contribute to several important biomedical areas.