Postdoctoral Scholar - Physiology and Cell Biology, Gut-Brain Science Laboratory

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The Gut–Brain Science Laboratory, led by Dr. Rajan Singh in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative Postdoctoral Scholar to join an NIH-funded research program investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying gastroparesis, gastrointestinal dysmotility, intestinal barrier dysfunction, and disorders of gut–brain interaction.

The successful candidate will contribute to a newly funded NIH R01 investigating how gut-resident macrophages regulate gastric neuromuscular function and epithelial barrier integrity in gastroparesis. The project integrates mechanistic studies in genetically engineered mouse models with translational studies using human gastric and duodenal biopsies.

The research program combines neurogastroenterology, mucosal immunology, gastrointestinal physiology, molecular biology, single-cell transcriptomics, advanced imaging, and translational human tissue studies to identify disease mechanisms and develop macrophage-directed therapeutic strategies.

The postdoctoral scholar will have opportunities to develop an independent research direction within the overall program, publish high-impact manuscripts, present findings at national and international scientific meetings, participate in multidisciplinary collaborations, and develop skills needed for progression toward an independent research career.

Research Responsibilities

The successful candidate will work closely with Dr. Singh and collaborating investigators to:

• Design and conduct mechanistic studies examining the role of muscularis and mucosal macrophages in gastroparesis, gastrointestinal motility, and epithelial barrier dysfunction.
• Conduct in vivo gastrointestinal physiology studies, including gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit measurements.
• Perform intestinal and gastric barrier-function studies using approaches including Ussing chamber/TEER and permeability assays.
• Isolate and characterize gut-resident immune-cell populations from gastrointestinal tissues. Perform flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA and related molecular and cellular assays.
• Participate in single-cell RNA sequencing, miRNA profiling and CyTOF-based immune phenotyping, including preparation of biological samples and interpretation of resulting datasets.
• Participate in translational studies involving coded human gastric and duodenal biopsy specimens obtained through collaborating clinical investigators.
• Prepare manuscripts, abstracts, and present research findings at laboratory meetings and scientific conferences.
• Collaborate with faculty, research staff, students, core facilities, and external investigators involved in the program.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in physiology, cell and molecular biology, immunology, neuroscience, gastroenterology, pharmacology, biomedical sciences or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in experimental biomedical research.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Evidence of scientific productivity, such as peer-reviewed publications, manuscripts or substantial doctoral research accomplishments.
• Completion of a doctoral degree in the appropriate discipline is required.
• The doctoral degree must have been completed within the five years immediately preceding the first date of appointment as a postdoctoral fellow at the University.
• The individual cannot have held previous positions in the professional ranks.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:

• Gastrointestinal physiology, neurogastroenterology or GI motility
• Macrophage biology, mucosal immunology or neuroimmune interactions
• Transgenic/conditional mouse models and mouse colony management
• In vivo mouse experimentation
• Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and confocal fluorescence microscopy, single-cell RNA sequencing, CyTOF or high-dimensional immune profiling, Ussing chamber, TEER or epithelial permeability measurements
• Molecular biology techniques including RNA isolation, qPCR, Western blotting and ELISA

Candidates are not expected to possess expertise in every technique listed above. Applicants with strong training in gastrointestinal physiology, immunology, neuroscience, molecular biology or related areas who are interested in developing expertise in neurogastroenterology are particularly encouraged to apply.

Compensation Grade

Postdoctoral Scholar

To view the salary schedule for this position, please visit: Salary Schedules.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with related education and experience.

Department Information

https://med.unr.edu/directory/departments/physiology-cell-biology

Please note, once you submit your application the only attachment/s viewable to you will be the attachment/s to the resume/CV section of the application. Any additional required attachment/s to the cover letter, references, additional documents sections of the application, will not be viewable to you after you submit your application. All uploaded attachment/s will be on the application for the committee to review. To request updates to attachments, prior to the committee review of applications, please contact the candidate helpdesk at [email protected]

Attach the following attachments to your application

1) Curriculum vitae

2) Cover letter describing previous research experience, scientific interests, and career goals

3) Contact information for three professional references

4) Representative publications

This posting is open until filled

Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. This search will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made.

A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified, HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member’s first day of employment.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

Applicants hired on a federal contract may be subject to E-Verify.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver's license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment.

Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs.

University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine