Job Description

Summary
We are seeking a postdoctoral research fellow to join our team and lead a research project to advance knowledge of disease mechanisms in juvenile myositis and lupus. Our lab is focused on translational research in Pediatric Rheumatology and applies molecular and bioinformatic approaches to analysis of patient biosamples in a well-phenotyped cohort of juvenile myositis and lupus patients.

Current ongoing research in the lab includes (1) leveraging tape stripping to study autoimmune skin disease, (2) implementing endothelial cell assays to understand vasculopathy, (3) defining transcriptomic and proteomic signatures of treatment response, (4) comparing molecular and bioinformatic signatures between juvenile myositis and lupus and (5) generating a single-cell, spatially resolved atlas across affected tissues in juvenile myositis.

Candidates are encouraged to apply if they are highly motivated to develop an independent project and career trajectory, learn new skills and advance care for children with autoimmune disease.

Mission Statement
Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?
Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world’s most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
2:1 Match on retirement savings
Responsibilities*
Design and trouble shoot experimental approaches with the help of the lab PI; eventual independence in these aspects would be expected
Conduct lab-based research on patient and control samples or design computational approaches to analysis of patient-oriented bioinformatic datasets
Mentor other lab members in techniques and the scientific method
Prepare data reports for weekly meeting with PI and monthly reports for weekly lab meeting
Attend relevant lecture series, research conferences and journal clubs
Assemble figures for and write manuscripts for publication
Required Qualifications*
Successful candidates must hold a PhD in immunology, molecular basis of disease, computational biology, bioinformatics or equivalent. Applicants with an MD and appropriate skill sets would also be considered. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

The applicant is expected to be well-versed in either molecular biology and immunological techniques or have experience in analysis of bioinformatic datasets. Successful candidates should be able to develop methodologies for incorporation of new techniques into their work. Skills including flow cytometry, molecular cloning, cell culture, RNA isolation, Western blotting, transfection, and advanced microscopy are desired.