Postdoc - Human Immunology (Autoimmunity)

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Job description

Overview

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is an independent, not-for-profit, biomedical research institute adjacent to the campus of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) located in Oklahoma City. OMRF investigators have internationally recognized expertise in Autoimmunity, Immunology, Genetics, Genomics, Aging, Cardiovascular Disease, and Cancer.

Our Autoimmune Disease Institute houses Centers of Excellence and specialty research clinics and cohorts for Rheumatic Diseases (focusing on lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, undifferentiated connective tissue disease, ANA+ healthy individuals and Sjogren's disease) and for Multiple Sclerosis and related diseases. In addition to following over 4,000 patients with these conditions, teams of basic and clinical investigators conduct extensive clinical, translational and mechanistic research using samples obtained from these large clinical programs. We are fortunate to hold collaborative funding as an UM1 NIAID-funded Autoimmunity Center of Excellence, two U01 Autoimmunity Prevention Centers, one NIGMS-funded S06 Native American Research Center of Health in rheumatic disease, a NIAMS-funded P30 Oklahoma Rheumatic Disease Research Cores Center and NIGMS-funded U54 Oklahoma Shared Clinical and Translational Resources. Investigators at OMRF enjoy close scientific interactions with OUHSC faculty and participate in OUHSC graduate programs. Additional information about OMRF can be found at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation web site: .

OMRF s excellence can only be fully realized by individuals who share our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Successful candidates will demonstrate commitment to these values. OMRF is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristic.

Benefits
We offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits including, medical, dental, and vision insurance, minimum 8% company retirement contribution, vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, onsite café, free onsite fitness center with access to personal trainer, free parking and much more! Relocation assistance available for those located 50 miles outside of Oklahoma City metro and out of state. Learn more about our benefits here .

Responsibilities

Dr. Judith James is seeking a Postdoctoral Scientist with a strong immunology background to be part of the team working to understand mechanisms of autoimmune disease onset and progression in humans by leveraging the extensive resources and data available from our well characterized clinical cohorts. The James Lab is a translational immunology laboratory focused on understanding the pathogenesis, prediction, prevention and precision treatment of immune-mediated diseases to improve patients lives. We have large, complex experimental datasets partnered with detailed clinical data to help better understand autoimmune disease and improve treatments.

Join our dynamic team in a well-funded research group in the Oklahoma Autoimmunity Center of Excellence and Oklahoma Autoimmune Disease Prevention Center. We are focused on identifying and characterizing mechanisms of autoimmune disease onset and flare, including regulatory immune mechanisms. The successful candidate will be part of an innovative team with synergistic skills and experiences and will be given the opportunity to develop projects that complement the overall directions of the group. The team utilizes high throughput bimolecular assays, deep cellular phenotyping, single cell genomic, proteomic, chromatin conformation/epigenetic and computational and bioinformatics analyses through resources in our departmental Phenotyping and Translational Informatics Cores. We also have access to high performance computational resources both in-house and through cloud-based resources. Trainees have the opportunity to participate in large, national NIH-funded consortia.

This is a mentored position for postdoctoral training. Individuals at this level plan, design and conduct research experiments, along with the following benchmark expectations:

- Manage research projects
- Present scientific information both formally and informally
- Prepare reports and papers for publication
- Contribute to grant writing
- Encouraged to write applications for fellowships
- Perform lab responsibilities as assigned
- Work collaboratively and collegially as part of the team while developing skills needed as an independent scientist
- Learn the complexities of research lab management and participate in various lab activities

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. in Immunology or closely related field, biological science, biochemistry, or other relevant area, M.D. with research exposure/experience, or equivalent field and some relevant experience.

Highly motivated and enthusiastic about science. Efficient with time and project management, with strong organizational abilities and exquisite attention to detail. Must have the ability to multi-task and work both independently and as a member of an interdisciplinary team with complementary skill sets. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate and write summaries of results.

Preferred Qualifications

Doctorate in Immunology or closely related field. Publication of at least 2-3 peer-reviewed publications, ideally as a first-author, in immunology or closely related field. Experience planning and efficiently executing mechanistic studies with human cells or systems.

Strong immunology expertise, preferably with human immunology/clinical immunology experience. Evidence of applied analysis experience with immune data is desired, in particular experience with high dimensional flow cytometry (or other forms of cytometric analyses), cellular immunology, autoimmunity and/or human immunology. Exposure to human biomedical and/or clinical research preferred. Demonstrated basic computer (R, commercial statistical packages, OMIC) helpful. Experience with univariate and multivariate analyses, clustering, pathway, genetic and genomic data analyses and bioinformatics is helpful.

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