Postdoctoral Fellow - Immune Cell Dynamics - Optogenetics

Biohub is a 501(c)(3) biomedical research organization building the first large-scale scientific initiative combining frontier AI with frontier biology to solve disease. We build the technology to help scientists around the world use AI-powered biology to study how cells operate, organize, and work as part of systems to understand why disease happens and how to correct it. With our compute capacity, AI research and engineering, and state-of-the-art technology for measuring, imaging, and programming biology, we are enabling scientists worldwide to use AI-powered biology to advance our understanding of human health.

The Team

Our immune cell reprogramming team integrates foundational research on immunology and disease biology with AI-modeling to develop engineered cells that harness our own immune system to detect and treat early signs of age-related diseases, like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. These technologies will enable precise, context-dependent therapeutic responses only when and where it is needed. You can learn more about our work here. 

Our work brings together three powerhouse universities - Columbia University, The Rockefeller University, and Yale University - into a single collaborative technology and discovery engine.

Our Vision

• Pursue large scientific challenges that cannot be pursued in conventional environments
• Enable individual investigators to pursue their riskiest and most innovative ideas
• Facilitate research by scientists and clinicians at our home institutions and beyond

We are a team of passionate individuals powered by technology, guided by scientific research, and driven by collaboration, working toward a mission to cure or prevent all disease. 

The Opportunity

The Parsa Lab, also known as the Immune Cell Dynamics and Function group, is currently accepting applications for a Postdoctoral fellow position. The Parsa group focuses on investigating the cellular and functional dynamics of T cells, exploring how T cell fate decisions are made and how these decisions impact their functions in different disease contexts. Using a combination of genetically engineered mice, disease models, and single-cell technologies, we aim to uncover the principles governing T cell fate and their functional roles across tissues. This position is to develop novel methods and tools to determine the migratory dynamics of immune cells, with focus on T cells, and how that affects their cellular profile, function and longevity. It is an outstanding opportunity to collaborate with a team of talented scientists working to address fundamental immunological questions, with potential applications in treating inflammatory disorders, autoimmunity, and cancer. More information can be found at https://parsalab.org

Interested candidates should submit the following documents:

• Cover Letter detailing research interests, motivations and career goals.
• Full version of Curriculum Vitae (CV), highlighting major achievements.
• Contact information for 3 references (letters will be requested as needed).

Summary of a significant publication or project that highlights your contributions

What You'll Do

• Conduct independent and collaborative research in immunology and related areas
• Design and perform in vitro and in vivo immune cell assessment
• Establish tools and perform assays to assess immune cell migration
• Design, execute and analyze experiments
• Present experimental data (in both written and oral formats)
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Follow advances in the field through published literature and conferences
• Work closely with fellow team members and other members at Biohub institutions
• Mentor research assistants and interns in the lab

What You'll Bring

Essential:

• PhD degree in immunology, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, or a related field
• Proficiency in molecular cloning, CRISPR gene editing, and generation of constructs for viral transduction methods
• A strong sense of curiosity and drive to explore
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and work in a team
• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written)
• Ability to collaborate in a diverse environment

Strong applicants have skills in one or more of the following areas:

• Experience working with mice, particularly generating transgenic or genetically modified primary T cells (and mice).
• Experience with flow cytometry and microscopy (particularly bioluminescence and fluorescence microscopy), and other imaging modalities to detect and quantify reporter gene expression
• Strong knowledge of the existing literature in immunology, dogmas and challenges

Compensation

The New York City, NY  base pay range for a new hire in this role is $93,000.00. 

Benefits for the Whole You 

We’re thankful to have an incredible team behind our work. To honor their commitment, we offer a wide range of benefits to support the people who make all we do possible. 

• Provides a generous employer match on employee 401(k) contributions to support planning for the future.
• Paid time off to volunteer at an organization of your choice. 
• Funding for select family-forming benefits. 
• Relocation support for employees who need assistance moving

If you’re interested in a role but your previous experience doesn’t perfectly align with each qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply as you may be the perfect fit for this or another role.

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