The laboratory of Dr. Catera Wilder in the Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), which brings together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health, is seeking a postdoctoral scholar. The research laboratory of Dr. Catera Wilder is engaged in groundbreaking projects focused on cellular engineering for immunotherapy applications and circadian control of immunity. The circadian clock, the internal clock system that keeps cells regulated on a 24-hour cyclical day and night schedule, is critical for regulating immunity such that the time of day when an infection occurs is linked to infection and survival rates. There has been increasing interest in using immunotherapies for clinical applications, but due to the link between immunity and the circadian clock there needs to be an incorporation of circadian rhythm-based therapeutic strategies for these therapies to be effective. One challenge that has limited the development of such therapies is our limited understanding of the link between immunity and circadian control due to a sparse mechanistic understanding of regulatory factors that control events that occur across times scales. To accomplish this, innovative tools that allow for mechanistic testing across time scales and that can also be used for translational applications will need to be developed.
The Wilder Lab is seeking researchers for postdoctoral fellow positions with expertise in the theory of and analytic methods of cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, bioengineering or a related field with experience in gene editing, animal handling and breeding, fluorescence microscopy, and next generation sequencing. As a member of the Wilder Lab, the postdoctoral fellow will develop cell reporter systems and utilize synthetic biology strategies to engineer T cells. Thus, the hire would be using CRISPR-based gene editing, biochemical, and live-cell imaging techniques for in vitro and in vivo analysis of time-of-day effects on immunity and inflammation. The hire would also help with teaching and supervising junior lab members. The candidate should be a team player, willing to learn and take risks, and be dedicated.
Dr. Wilder has fostered a boundary pushing and team-oriented group that uses an interdisciplinary approach to uncover cellular and molecular mechanisms causing immune-related pathogenesis and uses this knowledge to develop cell-based immunotherapies. The Wilder group has established expertise in understanding innate immune and inflammatory responses by studying the temporal dynamic regulation of signaling pathways and gene expression programs in lung epithelial cells using an iterative systems biology approach involving mathematical and experimental approaches.
In addition to enthusiasm, motivation and independent thinking, candidates must have a working knowledge of immunology, molecular biology, cell engineering, and biochemical related experiments and analysis. Strong skills with animal models are essential. Experience with fluorescence microscopy and next generation sequencing related experiments and analysis are highly valued.
Ideal candidates will have a passion about scientific research with the willingness and ability to learn and integrate knowledge from across different scientific areas. Personal skills such as teamwork, accurate listening, strategic thinking, along with very good oral and written English language skills will be critical for the successful candidates.
Post-doctoral research fellow candidates should have completed or obtained a PhD in a relevant discipline such as cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, biomedical engineering or related fields and have demonstrated a strong track record of research productivity by publishing in peer reviewed journals.
The successful candidates will be located in the Wilder Laboratory on the Parnassus Heights campus of UCSF and associated with the Bakar ImmunoX Initiative. ImmunoX is an ambitious, first-in-class program at UCSF that uses social engineering, state-of-the-art technologies and infrastructure, and a unique data-sharing model to support a community of researchers and clinicians as they work toward solutions together.
Salary is commensurate with experience. E-mail a curriculum vitae, a letter stating research interests and contact information for three references to: [email protected].
Deadline for applications: 30 September 2024.