(Archived) Postdoctoral Fellow

Postdoctoral Fellow

A Postdoctoral Fellow Position is available at the Medical College of Wisconsin in the laboratory of Dr. Benjamin Gantner. The lab studies innate immunity and inflammation in the context of pneumonia. We use a range of tools including intravital microscopy using implanted windows to study neutrophil motility in living animals. Experience with animal surgery and enthusiasm for learning advanced imaging techniques such as window implantation, intravital imaging, and data processing are essential. Training on advanced imaging techniques will be provided. Previous experience with microscopy, conventional biochemical/cell biology techniques such as flow cytometry, cell culture, and quantitative PCR is a plus. Previous training in any of the following is preferred: 1) immune cell trafficking, 2) inflammatory signaling/transcription, or 3) immune effector cell function. Knowledge of python or related scripting for data processing and analysis a plus.

Purpose

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), a postdoc is an individual who has received a doctoral degree (or equivalent) and is engaged in a temporary and defined period of mentored advanced research training to enhance the professional skills and research independence needed to pursue his or her chosen career path. In addition, according to the National Postdoc Association (NPA), Postdoctoral appointees can pursue basic, clinical or translational projects so long as their primary effort is devoted toward their own scholarship. Postdocs are essential to the scholarly mission of the mentor and host institution, and thus are expected to have the freedom to publish the results of their scholarship.

Characteristics of a postdoctoral appointment:

It is expected that postdocs at MCW, with the assistance of their supervisor, will:

• Transition to career independence through the development of professional skills that enable the postdoc to actively pursue a career of his/her own choosing.
• Be supervised by at least one senior scholar who actively promotes the postdoc's professional development.
• Establish an individual development plan (IDP) that incorporates equally the postdoc's career and training goals and the mentor's research goals.
• Pursue basic, clinical, or translational projects so long as effort is focused primarily on research.
• Publish results of the postdoc's research and scholarship during their appointment.
• The postdoctoral appointment is temporary by nature, the aggregate amount of time spent as a postdoc is recommended to not exceed five years (not including family medical leave or maternity/paternity leave).
• As postdocs are important members of the host institution's community, appropriate levels of compensation, health care, and other benefits commensurate with their essential status should be afforded, independent of the postdoc's source of funding.

Primary Functions

• Plan, design and execute complex research studies, procedures and protocols.
• Participate in discovery projects.
• Coordinate research study activities; lead and manage projects.
• Oversee organization, synthesis and analysis of data and findings.
• Prepare scientific reports, outcome findings and scientific manuscripts.
• Participate in meetings with principle investigator and research staff in which you will evaluate/interpret the validity of data, develop methodologies, and design and evaluate lab procedures.
• Maintain supplies, may require negotiation with vendors, and track purchase orders.
• May oversee the work of laboratory personnel including training and development as well as daily work direction, delegation and establishing priorities.

Preferred Schedule:
Full-time role with expectations for coverage during core business hours and flexibility required as necessary to accommodate business needs.

Position Requirements:

Knowledge – Skills – Abilities

Required knowledge: biology, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, documentation, records management, data utilization, complex problem solving, critical thinking, resource management, and writing skills

Skills and abilities: This will vary based on the hiring manager’s preferences and should include things that can be learned or trained for.

Specifications

Minimum Required Education: PhD in a scientific field or MD

Minimum Required Experience: No experience required. Laboratory experience in immunology, cell biology, or physiology preferred

Preferred Education: PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Physiology, or related field

Preferred Experience: Small animal surgical techniques, Python or similar

scripting experience for data processing

Field: Innate immunity

Certification: NA

Diversity and Inclusion

The Medical College of Wisconsin defines diversity as a commitment to recognizing and appreciating the variety of individual differences in an environment that promotes and celebrates individual and collective achievement. The diversity of MCW continues to be an important source of innovative ideas and creative accomplishments.