Postdoctoral Research Associate - Pathology & Immunology

About the role

Location

Position Summary

A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Laura Campisi in the Department of Pathology and Immunology at Washington University in St. Louis. Our laboratory studies how T cells interact with the central nervous system (CNS) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), using both mouse models and human samples (Campisi et al., Nature 2022; Terekhova et al., preprint Research Square 2026).

We aim to uncover the fundamental immunology of how T cells are activated and maintained in the CNS during disease, and to determine whether these discoveries can be translated into new therapeutic targets. To address these questions, we combine fundamental immunology approaches, including high-dimensional multiplex spectral flow cytometry, with imaging and computational analyses.

The successful candidate will lead an independent project within this program in a supportive, mentored training environment.

WashU offers a highly collaborative and interactive research environment. Our lab is part of the Division of Immunobiology and is also affiliated with, and actively collaborates with, the Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, and the WashU Medicine ALS Center. These connections give trainees access to a vibrant neuroimmunology community, shared expertise and core facilities, and direct links between basic research and clinical ALS care.

The appointment is viewed as a training or transitional period preparatory to an academic, industrial, governmental, or other full-time research or teaching career. Used when the appointee performs specific services on a grant or contract in exchange for compensation.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Information on being a postdoc at WashU in St.

Research Responsibilities

Trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor including

• Design, conduct, and lead research projects investigating how T cells are activated, maintained, and function within the CNS in mouse models of ALS.
• Design, optimize, acquire, and analyze high-parameter multiplex spectral flow cytometry panels on immune cells from the CNS and peripheral tissues.
• Use imaging approaches (e.g., immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy) to characterize T cell localization and interactions with CNS cells.
• Apply computational approaches to analyze high-dimensional cytometry, imaging, and related datasets.
• Maintain mouse colonies and perform in vivo procedures and tissue collection in compliance with institutional animal care (IACUC) guidelines.
• Contribute, as appropriate, to studies of human samples in compliance with institutional review board (IRB) and biosafety requirements.
• Identify and evaluate candidate immune pathways and therapeutic targets emerging from the lab's findings.
• Present research at lab meetings, institutional seminars, and national/international conferences.
• Apply for independent postdoctoral fellowships and career development awards with the support of the PI.
• Help train and mentor graduate students, technicians, and undergraduate researchers in the lab.

General Responsibilities

• Assists with grant preparation and reporting.
• Prepares and submits papers on research.
• Assists in the design of research experiments.
• Evaluates research findings and assists in the reporting of the results.
• Conscientious discharge of their research responsibilities.
• Maintains conformity with ethical standards in research.
• Maintains compliance with good laboratory practice including the maintenance of adequate research records.
• Engages in open and timely discussion with their mentor regarding possession or distribution of material, reagents, or records belonging to their laboratory and any proposed disclosure of findings or techniques privately or in publications.
• Collegial conduct towards co-trainees, staff members and members of the research group.
• Adherence to all applicable University policies, procedures and regulations. All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated in University laboratories remain the property of the University.

Working Conditions

• Works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to blood and chemical hazards.
• The position involves work with laboratory animals (mice) and may involve handling human biological specimens.

Salary Range

Base pay is commensurate with experience.

Applicant Special Instructions

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter describing their research experience, interests, and career goals, a CV, and 3 letters of recommendation.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education: Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.

Certifications /Professional Licenses

• No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
• Work Experience: No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills: Not Applicable

Driver's License: A driver's license is not required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Research background in neuroimmunology, neuroscience, or immunology.
• Hands-on experience working with mice (e.g., handling, breeding, dissection, and tissue processing).
• Demonstrated ability to implement laboratory procedures, conduct research and record findings.
• Hands-on experience with flow cytometry.
• Track record of research productivity, including at least one first-author publication (published or submitted).
• Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong motivation, curiosity, and commitment to understanding immune mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease.
• Experience with spectral flow cytometry, including panel design and high-dimensional analysis.
• Experience with tissue imaging (e.g., immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy) and image analysis.
• Familiarity with computational analysis tools (e.g., R, Python, FlowJo, OMIQ, or similar).
• Experience with mouse models of neurodegenerative or neuroinflammatory disease.
• Experience working with human samples.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Certifications /Professional Licenses

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills

Collaboration, Data Analysis, Data Interpretations, Experimentation, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Techniques, Researching, Results Reporting, Scientific Writing

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours.