Job Details

Post Doc Res Assoc

Position Number: 9817030
Location: Salt Lake City, United States
Position Type: Medicine - Medical Researcher

Post Doc Res Assoc

Job Summary

The Round Laboratory at the University of Utah investigates the complex interactions between the intestinal microbiota and the host immune system, with the goal of understanding how these relationships establish and maintain health and how their disruption contributes to disease. Our research spans basic and translational immunology and microbiome science, with particular interests in how bacteria and bacteriophages shape mucosal and systemic immune responses. We use gnotobiotic and conventional mouse models, microbial genetics, immunologic approaches, and human samples to uncover mechanisms by which members of the microbiota influence immune development, function, and disease susceptibility. A central theme of our work is moving beyond descriptive changes in microbial communities to identify specific microbes, microbial products, and immune pathways that causally regulate host physiology.

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow interested in pursuing one of two major research directions. The first focuses on early-life microbiota--immune interactions and their impact on the development of type 1 diabetes, including how microbial exposures during critical developmental windows shape immune maturation and influence later disease susceptibility. The second focuses on bacteriophage--immune interactions in intestinal homeostasis and inflammatory disease, with an emphasis on understanding how phage and phage-derived antigens are recognized by the immune system and how these responses influence bacterial communities, mucosal immunity, and intestinal inflammation. Both projects offer opportunities to combine mechanistic immunology with microbiome biology and to develop independent research directions at the interface of microbial ecology, host immunity, and disease. Check out our website at https://round.path.utah.edu/

Huntsman Cancer Institute is committed to cancer prevention, care, and survivorship for all communities within the area we serve -- which includes Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming -- with impact worldwide.

In your cover letter or during your interview process, we invite you to share how your professional experiences have prepared you to serve as a member of our team as we work to reduce the cancer burden experienced by all people and communities. This may include description of your prior experiences related to research, prevention, clinical care, community engagement/outreach, training, administration, or other areas relevant to Huntsman Cancer Institute's mission and this position.

Responsibilities

Lead an independent research project focused on either early-life microbiota-immune interactions in diabetes or bacteriophage-immune interactions and gut homeostasis.
Design, conduct, analyze, and interpret experiments using approaches in microbiology, immunology, and microbiome research.
Work with relevant mouse models, including gnotobiotic and conventional models, as appropriate to the research project.
Apply cellular, molecular, and immunological techniques to investigate host-microbe interactions.
Maintain rigorous, reproducible, and well-documented experimental practices and research records.
Analyze experimental data, integrate findings across complementary approaches, and develop new hypotheses and research directions.
Present research findings at laboratory meetings, departmental seminars, and national and international scientific conferences.
Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to grant applications and fellowship proposals.
Collaborate with other members of the Round Lab and with investigators across interdisciplinary research programs at the University of Utah.
Participate actively in the intellectual environment of the laboratory, including discussion of ongoing projects, literature, experimental design, and troubleshooting.
Mentor and provide scientific guidance to graduate students, undergraduate students, and research staff as appropriate.
Contribute to maintaining a collaborative, respectful, inclusive, and intellectually engaged laboratory environment.
Pursue opportunities for professional development and work toward establishing an independent scientific research program.

Minimum Qualifications

Preferences

Recent doctoral degree (PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent).
Strong background in microbiology and/or immunology, or a related discipline.
A strong publication record.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Outstanding critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Experience working with mouse models is strongly preferred.
Experience with flow cytometry is preferred.

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN46184B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary:
Department: 01885 - HCI June Round Lab
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: 50000 - 70000
Close Date: 10/30/2026
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit <a href=""https://apptrkr.com/9817030"">https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/209116