Postdoctoral Researcher - Transplantation Immunology and Graft-Versus-Host Disease Research

Summary

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), a postdoc is an individual who has received a doctoral degree (or equivalent) and is engaged in a temporary and defined period of mentored advanced research training to enhance the professional skills and research independence needed to pursue his or her chosen career path. In addition, according to the National Postdoc Association (NPA), Postdoctoral appointees can pursue basic, clinical or translational projects so long as their primary effort is devoted toward their own scholarship. Postdocs are essential to the scholarly mission of the mentor and host institution, and thus are expected to have the freedom to publish the results of their scholarship.

This position is based in the laboratory of Matthew Kudek, MD, which studies the immunology of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) using mouse models, with an emerging effort in mouse and human intestinal organoid systems. This is an entry-level postdoctoral position (fellow) intended for candidates within 0–2 years of receiving a PhD, MD/PhD, or MD (with relevant prior research experience). The fellow will work under the close mentorship of the Principal Investigator, and in collaboration with other members of the research team with the expectation that independence in experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific writing will grow progressively over the course of the appointment. The laboratory values honesty, hard work, and teamwork, and is committed to training fellows who go on to do meaningful, impactful science while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Primary Responsibilities

Experimental design and execution

- Design and carry out individual experiments within the laboratory's research program in bone marrow transplantation, GVHD immunology, and intestinal organoid systems, applying core animal, cellular, and molecular techniques (see Knowledge – Skills – Abilities) under the general guidance of the Principal Investigator.
- Troubleshoot experimental protocols and adapt technique to the specific demands of a project, escalating unresolved problems to other lab members or the Principal Investigator as needed.

Data management, analysis, and interpretation

- Organize, analyze, and interpret experimental data, and maintain complete and accurate records of experiments, reagents, and results.

Scientific communication

- Contribute to the preparation of scientific manuscripts, abstracts, and presentations; with increasing independence over the course of the appointment, take a lead role in drafting manuscripts describing the fellow's own project(s).
- Present research findings at laboratory meetings, institutional seminars, and, as appropriate, scientific conferences.
- As the position matures, develop and prepare applications for mentored training and career-development awards, both intramural (e.g., institutional or departmental pilot and career-development funds) and extramural (e.g., foundation or society fellowships, and mentored career-development award mechanisms as eligibility allows), with guidance and support from the Principal Investigator.

Collaboration, lab, and institutional citizenship

- Participate in laboratory meetings and journal clubs, and work collaboratively with other members of the research team on shared projects and shared laboratory resources (e.g., the mouse colony, shared reagents and equipment).
- May assist with the day-to-day training of graduate students, technicians, or other trainees on specific techniques in which the fellow has expertise, under the direction of the Principal Investigator.

Compliance and laboratory operations

- Maintain compliance with institutional, IACUC, and biosafety requirements applicable to the research.
- Contribute to laboratory operations, including mouse breeding and genotyping, inventory and ordering (Quartzy), mouse colony records (mLIMS), and equipment monitoring (Sonicu).
- Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge – Skills – Abilities

Required knowledge:

- Mammalian immunology; familiarity with transplantation immunology is preferred.
- Molecular and cellular biology.
- Basic statistics and experimental design.
- Laboratory safety and regulatory compliance (e.g., IACUC, biosafety).
- Scientific writing and documentation.
- Data utilization and record-keeping.

Skills and abilities:

- Rodent handling and procedural technique (animal handling, irradiation, injections).
- Tissue harvest and processing into single-cell suspensions.
- Flow cytometry (surface and intracellular staining) and flow cytometry-based cell sorting.
- Magnetic or column-based cell enrichment.
- Cell culture, including in vitro stimulation and differentiation assays.
- Western blotting.
- PCR, qPCR.
- Tissue processing for histology.
- Familiarity with single-cell RNA sequencing workflows (10X Genomics) is preferred.
- Experience with immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, spatial transcriptomics, or other multiomic techniques (e.g., CITE-seq) is a plus.

Software and computational skills:

- Proficiency with FlowJo and GraphPad Prism for data analysis.
- Familiarity and experience with data analysis using packages in R and/or Python are also valued.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office
- Familiarity with laboratory management software (e.g., Quartzy, mLIMS) is a plus.

Personal skills:

- Complex problem solving and critical thinking.
- Strong written and oral communication skills in English.
- Ability to work independently on well-defined experiments while recognizing when to seek guidance, consistent with an early-career postdoctoral stage.

Qualifications

Minimum Required Education: PhD in a scientific field or MD

Minimum Required Experience:  0 years

Preferred Education: PhD in immunology, biology, or a related scientific field; doctoral training with a research focus in immunology, hematology, transplantation biology, or a related field.

Preferred Experience: Hands-on experience with murine models, flow cytometry, and molecular biology techniques; prior experience with bone marrow transplantation or GVHD models, organoid culture, or single-cell genomics is a plus.

Required Certification/Licensure(s): None required at time of hire; completion of institutional IACUC and biosafety training is required within the onboarding period.

Physical Requirements

Work requires occasionally lifting moderate weight materials, standing, or walking continuously.

Work Environment

Occasional exposure to dust, noise, temperature changes, or contact with water or other liquids. Work is performed in an environmentally controlled environment.

Sensory Acuity

Ability to detect and translate speech or other communication required. May occasionally require the ability to distinguish colors and perceive relative distances between objects. #LI-NK1

Why MCW?

- Outstanding Healthcare Coverage, including but not limited to Health, Vision, and Dental. Along with Flexible Spending options
- 403B Retirement Package
- Competitive Vacation and Paid Holidays offered
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
- Pet Insurance
- On campus Fitness Facility, offering onsite classes
- Additional discounted rates on items such as: Select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment etc.

For a brief overview of our benefits see: Benefits Overview

For a full list of positions see: MCW Careers

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