Post-Doctoral Associate - Department of Microbiology and Immunology

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 57,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Paid holidays

Professional training

Medical/dental/pharmacy plans

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

The Gale Laboratory at the University of Minnesota is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to study virus-host interactions and innate immunity using virus infection models, high-throughput sequencing, and immunological assays. The role involves independent work, collaboration, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.

Required are a Ph.D. in a related field and strong experience in immunology, molecular biology, and virology techniques; preferred are work with BSL-2/3 facilities and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in virology, microbiology, cell biology, immunology or related field.
• Experience with immunological methods such as ELISA, antibody characterization, western blot; PCR, cloning, protein expression, purification, tissue culture.

Responsibilities

• 70% Research on virus-host interactions using infection models in BSL-2/2+ and BSL-3 environments.
• Prepare RNA-based therapeutics/vaccines, test small molecules, and assess vaccines in model systems.
• 30% Data analysis, presentations, and manuscript preparation using FlowJo/Cyflogic and genomics data analysis.

Education

PhD in virology, microbiology, cell biology, immunology or related field

Tools

FlowJo

CytoLogic

Job description

About the Job

The Gale Laboratory at University of Minnesota aims to define the molecular mechanisms of innate immune activation and viral regulation of innate immunity, and to define therapeutic targets to inform research and development toward building innate immune therapeutics to combat virus infection. The laboratory studies cell culture, mouse models, nonhuman primate models, and human cohorts of virus infection and immunity. The lab works within specialized resources and administrative framework for performing cellular and animal BSL2, BSL3, BSL4 studies of a range of RNA viruses including flaviviruses, Hanta virus, influenza A viruses, SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, Ebola virus, chikungunya virus, SIV, and HIV. The lab also conducts functional genomics studies using high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNAseq) including ATCseq, CITEseq, bulk mRNAseq, and GeoMx spatial-seq approaches to define virus/host interactions, host genes of virus control, and therapeutic targets for infection control strategies.

Primary Duties

70% Research Primary duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, studies of virus-host interactions using virus infection model systems. The project involves basic research and outbreak response isolating virus from primary specimens, developing and evaluating infection models, and leveraging animal models and human studies in systems biology approaches. The project applies functional genomics analyses of virus infection models with an overall goal to understand the mechanisms of innate immune activation and response for control of virus infection. The work also focused on understanding how the innate immune response programs the adaptive immune response to direct effective gene expression and humoral and cellular immune responses. The successful candidate will work in BSL2, BSL2+, and BSL3 environments, and will build and use viral vectors, expression constructs, and will prepare RNA-based therapeutics and vaccines, test small molecules, and assess vaccines in various model systems. The work also involves interaction with other lab member(s), participation in lab meetings, and overseeing the work of undergraduate students.

30% of the position includes data analysis, presentations, and manuscript preparation for reporting of experimental results. The successful candidate will use different computer programs and statistical tests to analyze the immune response in animals. Analysis of flow cytometry results will be done using FlowJo or Cyflogic programs and involves analysis of fluorescence readouts, live/dead cells discrimination and multi color compensation; analysis of functional genomics data sets will utilize a variety of computational applications.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: (Must be documented on application materials)

• A Ph.D. (or equivalent) degree in virology, microbiology, cell biology, immunology or a related field - Advanced knowledge in molecular, cellular biology, and virology techniques.
• Experience in immunological methods such as ELISA, antibody characterization, and western blot; proficiency in PCR amplification, cloning, protein expression and purification, and tissue culture techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and organization skills with proficient scientific record keeping
• Ability to work independently, pay attention to details, solve problems, work under pressure and manage multiple tasks
• Experience and ability to analyze scientific data, present the research results and prepare manuscripts for publication

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in work with bacteria, human cells/tissues and viruses in a BL2+/BSL3 facility
• Previous work with HIV-1/SIV, flaviviruses, alphaviruses, influenza A virus, and/or SARS-CoV-2 assays.
• Bioinformatics experience
• Experience with writing and following an institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC) and human subjects' protocols

About the Department

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology (DMI) is a basic science department in the University of Minnesota (UMN) School of Medicine. Our faculty focus on the study of microorganism and host interactions and engage in translational research to build and evaluate preclinical and clinical applications of research discoveries aimed at mitigating disease. The department seeks to build on our rich history as we pursue transformational research. DMI faculty have a strong focus on immunology, virology, bacteriology, and fungal biology and they include research and training activities encompassing studies of microbial physiology and genetics, the immune response to infection based around a central theme of interrogating the systems biology of infection, immunity, and diseases.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $63,480 per year

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.