Post Doctoral Fellow - Internal Medicine (Genetic, Environmental and Inhalational Disease)

University of Kansas Medical Center • Kansas City, MO

2d

About The Position

The Postdoctoral Fellow in the Zamora Lab within the Division of Genetics, Environmental and Inhalation Disease contributes to research examining how chronic and repeated airway inflammation alters immune responses to respiratory pathogens. The work focuses on mechanisms of mucosal immunity relevant to diseases such as cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with particular emphasis on epithelial and immune cell interactions, inflammatory memory, and host pathogen dynamics. Research activities involve the use of primary human airway epithelial cultures and in vivo murine models to assess how inflamed airway environments impact infection susceptibility and responses to emerging treatments, including bacteriophage-based therapies, within a collaborative and translational research setting.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or MD, or equivalent doctoral degree in immunology, microbiology, cell biology, or a related field.
• This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.
• Experience in design and data analysis.
• Critical thinking
• Interpersonal skills
• Organization
• Communication
• Multitasking
• Time management
• Presentation skills
• Attention to detail
• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter

Nice To Haves

• Experience with sterile technique, airway epithelial models (e.g., ALI cultures), and/or immune cell biology.
• Experience in host-pathogen interactions, respiratory infections, or inflammatory signaling.
• Familiarity with techniques such as flow cytometry, RNA-seq analysis, or advanced imaging.
• Familiarity with bacteriology and/or virology methods.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments and interpret data under the mentorship of the Principal Investigator (PI).
• Work independently and collaboratively on research projects.
• Design, execute, and analyze experiments investigating airway inflammation and host-pathogen interactions.
• Work with primary human airway epithelial cultures and immune cells.
• Analyze and interpret complex datasets (e.g., molecular, cellular, and/or omics-based data).
• Assist with development of grant proposals and scientific manuscripts.
• Maintain a current Laboratory Notebook, documenting all calculations, work, experiments, and other pertinent research information.
• Complete research projects under the guidance of the faculty mentor, record and interpret the results of their experiments in an (electronic) laboratory notebook, prepare publication-quality manuscripts (including figures and tables) and publish in peer-reviewed literature.
• Read literature articles, develop new ideas, and assimilate the information into his/her project design/interpretation.
• Interact on a regular basis with their PI, faculty mentor and members of the laboratory to discuss experimental design and interpretation of results.
• Present research aims and findings at department seminars and at local and national scientific meetings.
• Write and publish their results as first author in abstracts, manuscripts, and posters.
• Attend and maintain compliance on all orientation and training sessions designated by the University and the Department, understand and follow IACUC and biosafety protocols, and attend departmental seminars and regular lab meetings.

Benefits

• Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan.
• Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available.
• Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays.
• One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment.
• A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees