Postdoctoral Associate

Summary

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) has a postdoctoral position available in the laboratory of Dr. Pedro A. Piedra within the Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology (MVM). The Postdoctoral Associate will contribute to NIH-sponsored research utilizing human organoid systems to investigate the pathogenesis of respiratory viral infections and host immune responses.
The Postdoctoral Associate will develop and optimize airway remodeling models of the human airway organoids to better understand the pathogenesis of human respiratory viruses that includes respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), rhinovirus (RV), SARS-CoV-2, and other respiratory pathogens. The project will focus on defining mechanisms of airway remodeling and predicting human immune responsiveness to immunotherapies using advanced organoid platforms.
Interested individuals should submit a CV and cover letter in the application.

Baylor College of Medicine typically follows similar to the NIH stipulated stipend guidelines for Postdoctoral Associates.

Job Duties

• Develops, maintains, and characterizes human airway organoid culture systems.
• Establishes and optimizes airway remodeling models in human airway organoids.
• Performs respiratory viral infection studies using RSV, hMPV, RV, SARS-CoV-2, and other respiratory viruses.
• Conducts immunological and cellular analyses using techniques including histology, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry.
• Analyzes and interprets experimental data and prepare figures for presentations and publications.
• Contributes to manuscript preparation, grant applications, and scientific reports.
• Presents research findings at laboratory meetings and scientific conferences.
• Maintains familiarity with current scientific literature in virology, organoid biology, and mucosal immunology.
• Collaborates effectively with multidisciplinary research teams.
• Performs additional duties as required to support laboratory research objectives.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• MD or Ph.D. in Basic Science, Health Science, or a related field.
• No experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong background in virology and respiratory virus research. Knowledge of mucosal immunology and host immune responses to respiratory viral infections.
• Experience working with human airway organoid culture systems and extensive experience working with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
• Experience performing histological, immunofluorescence, and/or flow cytometric analyses.
• Experience with organoid culture systems, particularly studies involving airway basal cell populations.
• Experience using GraphPad Prism or comparable statistical software for data analysis and visualization.
• Demonstrates record of scientific productivity through publications and presentations.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented research environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.