Postdoctoral Fellow | Host-Microbiome Biology/ Organ-on-Chip Models | Jalili Lab

About the role

• Postdoctoral Fellow | Host-Microbiome Biology/ Organ-on-Chip Models
• Jalili Lab
• The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT

About the role

The Jalili lab at the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join our team. The successful candidate will investigate how interactions between intestinal bacteria and patient-derived epithelial tissues shape cellular states, tissue function, and disease susceptibility. While colorectal cancer (CRC) will serve as a primary disease model, the research will address broader mechanistic questions related to cancer initiation and evolution, epithelial reprogramming, host-microbiome interactions, and aging.

This work will involve using patient-derived human colon organoids and perfused, hypoxia-enabled colon-on-a-chip models with controlled host-microbe interactions through controlled bacterial-epithelial coculture, quantitative functional assays, and molecular profiling. By integrating advanced human tissue models with mechanistic studies, the research aims to identify and characterize host pathways that regulate epithelial responses to microbial interactions.

This position is particularly well suited to an experimental scientist interested in bridging tissue engineering, cell and molecular biology, and host-microbiome research. Prior experience in organ-on-a-chip or microfluidic systems, bacterial-epithelial coculture, gastrointestinal biology, or cancer biology is highly desirable, while experience with molecular profiling and transcriptomic approaches is an advantage.

The position also offers opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations with clinician-scientists at Connecticut Children's, bioengineers at the University of Connecticut, immunologists at UConn Health, and microbiome researchers at Duke University.

JAX has a vibrant and interactive research and training environment characterized by multidisciplinary scientific collaboration, unparalleled mouse resources, and outstanding core services.

In addition to lab-based training, JAX has developed a unique program for trainees to expand their professional skills in science communication, entrepreneurship, teaching, mentoring and laboratory management to best prepare postdocs for future career opportunities.

JAX Genomic Medicine is located in the scenic town of Farmington, Connecticut, within 1.5-2 hour of Boston and New York City and with convenient access to major highways, rail networks, and international airports.

Research responsibilities

• Establish, maintain, and characterize patient-derived human intestinal organoids, including nonmalignant and colorectal cancer tissues, and integrate organoid-derived epithelia into advanced microphysiological systems.
• Operate and optimize perfused, hypoxia-enabled gut-on-a-chip models to investigate epithelial function, differentiation, barrier integrity, and host-microbiome interactions.
• Design and conduct controlled bacterial-epithelial coculture experiments to investigate how microbial interactions influence epithelial cellular states, function, and disease-associated phenotypes.
• Apply cellular and molecular techniques, including microscopy, gene-expression analysis, and quantitative functional assays, to investigate epithelial responses, cellular plasticity, and underlying molecular mechanisms.
• Integrate functional studies with transcriptomic and other molecular profiling approaches to identify host pathways involved in epithelial regulation and disease susceptibility; contribute to scientific publications, grant applications, and collaborative research projects.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in bioengineering, microbiology, cell and molecular biology, cancer biology, or related field of study.
• Strong hands-on research experience in cell and tissue engineering, 3D organoid culture, primary epithelial cell culture, or microphysiological systems.
• Experience in organ-on-a-chip technologies, microfluidics, bacterial culture, or host-microbe coculture is highly desirable.
• Strong experimental background in cellular and molecular biology, including microscopy, immunofluorescence, gene-expression analysis, and quantitative functional assays.
• Prior research experience in gastrointestinal biology, host-microbiome interactions, cancer biology, epithelial plasticity, or aging is preferred. Experience with transcriptomics, multi-omics approaches, or in vivo models is an advantage.
• Candidates should have at least one 1st author publication record in peer-reviewed journal.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, able to work independently and effectively with other members in a productive team.

• To apply
• Interested candidates must submit all three application components listed below. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• A cover letter summarizing research training and accomplishments
• A personal statement of scientific interests and career goals (1-page maximum)
• Current CV with publications and contact information of three references
• JAX Salary: Year 0 - 1: $65,589
• Year 1 - 2: $67,318
• Year 2 - 3: $69,095
• Year 3 - 4: $70,521
• Year 4 - 5: $72,877
• Year 5 - 6: $75,569
• Based on years of experience as Postdoc