Postdoctoral Fellow
University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Albuquerque, NM
Dr. Aaron Neumann’s lab at University of New Mexico School of Medicine is recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow with a strong interest in the physical biology of immune systems to join our interactive and interdisciplinary team.
Our research concerns the earliest steps of host-pathogen recognition mechanisms engaged between fungal pathogens and leukocytes. In particular, we are interested in the engagement and signaling of Dectin-1, an innate immunoreceptor, by the fungal cell wall polysaccharide beta-(1,3)-glucan. To probe these interactions we use the following approaches: 1) super resolved fluorescence imaging to understand cell wall and membrane organization at nanometric scales during fungal recognition, 2) quantitative fluorescence microscopic methods for measurement of receptor mobility and organization in living cells, and 3) surface bio-ligand engineering to test the impact of nanoscale spatial patterns of receptor engagement on signal transduction.
Demonstrated expertise in quantitative fluorescence imaging for biophysical research applications is highly desirable for this position. Ideal candidates will possess additional training and/or expertise in one or more of the following fields: immunology, microbiology, chemistry/chemical engineering/chemical biology, and scientific computing (preferably in Matlab) for biological image analysis, and/or biophysics of receptor signal transduction. A prior track record of involvement in cross-disciplinary research in the physical and biological sciences is advantageous.
If you are interested, please respond via email (akneumann@salud.unm.edu) with a cover letter summarizing your experience, interests and what you would hope to accomplish in this position; a CV; and contact information (name, phone, email) for three references. Dr. Neumann will attend the 2016 American Association of Immunologists meeting. If you are interested in setting up an appointment to meet during the conference, please mention this in your email.
The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.