Immunology and Host-pathogen Defense

Position Description: Host-pathogen interaction & Immunology

A funded Post-Doctoral Scientist position is immediately available in the lab of Sam Behar, in the Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. The UMMS campus is located west of Boston, where a staff of 300 basic science faculty and nearly 3,000 clinical and nursing faculty, are supported by more than $280 million in funding.

My lab studies immunity to tuberculosis and our focus is on macrophage and T cell mechanisms that combat pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection in vivo. We rely on the mouse model of aerosol infection, but also confirm the relevance of our findings in human subjects with tuberculosis (TB), through strategic partnerships. By understanding the immunological basis for protective immunity, our goal is to inform TB vaccine design. Thus, we integrate mouse models with human data, exploit mouse genetics, develop innovative models and assays, to gain insight into the pathogenesis of TB, and how the immune system can be manipulated to improve protection against disease caused by TB.

Job Summary: Research focuses on pulmonary immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis using in vitro and in vivo models. Two positions are available that will provide an excellent opportunity for training and career development in the areas of host-pathogen interactions and vaccines.

1. The successful candidate will use a reverse immunology strategy to identify antigens that are associated with protection by using TCRs identified in the lungs of NHPs and people. These TCRs will be expressed in vitro and used to screen an expression library of Mtb proteins. The identified antigens will be tested in a mouse model for their ability to elicit protective immunity.
2. The successful candidate will use Collaborative Cross mice to investigate the genetic basis for vaccine-induced protection against TB, identify immune correlates of protection, and develop novel models for improved vaccine testing against Mtb infection.

Requirements for this position are:

• Ph.D. or M.D., with a strong background in immunology
• Must pass background check required for work with select agents and in a BSL3 laboratory
• Willingness to work with infectious and biohazardous materials and animals
• Evidence of experience through first author publications in peer reviewed journals.
• Excellent communication, critical thinking skills, and the ability to work as a team member

Preferences:

• Strong background in immunology and T cell biology
• Experience working with bacterial pathogens and/or in a BL3 lab environment
• Experience in flow cytometry and cell sorting, molecular biology, and mouse work
• Experience with the design, utilization, and evaluation of murine disease models
• Excellent organizational, time management, and multitasking skills.

Job responsibilities:

• Design, plan, perform, and interpret experiments to investigate the immunological and genetic basis of vaccine-induced protection against tuberculosis using the collaborative cross mouse panel, with an emphasis on identifying immune correlates of vaccine induced protection.
• Other duties include mentoring, participation in grant & manuscript writing, and other lab tasks.

Applications should include your curriculum vitae, a statement of interest, and references, and may be submitted by email to: Sam Behar (samuel.behar@umassmed.edu)

More information about my research can be found at:

UMass Med School Profile: https://profiles.umassmed.edu/display/132438

UMass Med School website: https://www.umassmed.edu/maps/research-labs/behar/research/

NCBI publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1BgNpZmVtH4/bibliography/public/