Postdoctoral Associate — Neuroimmunology

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages and holidays

Professional training opportunities

Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans

Flexible spending accounts

University retirement and benefits

Job summary

The Kashem Laboratory at the University of Minnesota specializes in how immune and nervous systems communicate to regulate inflammation and sensation. Postdoctoral Associates will design and lead experiments in tissue neuroimmunology, contributing to independent projects within a collaborative lab.

Start date targeted for January 2027, with opportunities in cutting-edge single-cell and spatial analyses and translational questions.

Qualifications

• PhD and/or MD (or equivalent) in immunology, neuroscience, or a related discipline, completed or expected before the start date.
• Demonstrated research productivity and the ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal scientific communication.
• Experience in one or more: cellular/molecular immunology, sensory neuroscience, mouse genetics, single-cell/spatial genomics, in vivo imaging, or GPCR/opioid signaling.

Responsibilities

• Design, perform, analyze, and interpret experiments spanning immunology, neuroscience, molecular biology, genomics, imaging, and behavior.
• Develop and troubleshoot new techniques and models; drive projects forward with scientific independence and rigor.
• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous laboratory records and electronic notebooks.
• Manage reagents, protocols, equipment, and shared resources; support mouse colony and data organization.
• Attend and present at lab meetings, journal clubs, and relevant departmental, collaborative, and institutional meetings.
• Write and contribute to manuscripts, papers, their own grant applications, and fellowship proposals.

Skills

Independent researcher

Scientific writing

Strong written and verbal science comm

Data analysis (R, Python)

Education

PhD/MD in immunology or neuroscience

Tools

R

Python

Job description

The Kashem Laboratory investigates how the immune and nervous systems communicate within tissues to control inflammation and sensation. We work at the interface of tissue immunology and tissue neuroscience, asking how immune cells and the neurons that innervate an organ signal to one another, and how those conversations shape health and disease across tissues — including the skin and the meninges. Our long-term goal is to define druggable neuroimmune circuits and translate them into therapies for chronic pain, itch, and inflammatory disease.

A central theme of the lab is endogenous opioid signaling. We discovered that regulatory T cells produce the opioid peptide enkephalin, which acts on the delta opioid receptor on sensory neurons to suppress pain and itch. This work most recently established that meningeal regulatory T cells inhibit nociception in a sex-specific, hormone-dependent manner (Midavaine et al., Science, 2025). Building on this foundation, the lab combines mouse genetics, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, in vivo calcium imaging, sensory behavioral assays, and molecular pharmacology to map neuroimmune circuits from the molecule to the whole organism. We also have an increasing interest in human immunology and neuroscience and are building the resources (iPSC cells, CRISPR screening) to ask translational questions.

Representative publications: Midavaine E, Moraes BC, Benitez J, et al. Meningeal regulatory T cells inhibit nociception in female mice. Science 388:96–104 (2025). Kashem SW, et al. Nociceptive sensory fibers drive IL-23 from CD301b+ dermal dendritic cells to provide protection from cutaneous C. albicans infection. Immunity 43:515–526 (2015). Kashem SW, et al. Candida albicans morphology and DC subsets determine T helper differentiation. Immunity 42:356–366 (2015).

The Kashem Lab is recruiting multiple Postdoctoral Associates to drive independent, high-impact projects in tissue neuroimmunology. Postdocs will design and lead their own experimental programs while contributing to the collaborative life of the lab. Each position is structured to move the trainee toward scientific independence.

Potential Start Date: January 2027

Responsibilities

Research and experimentation: 70%

• Design, perform, analyze, and interpret experiments spanning immunology, neuroscience, molecular biology, genomics, imaging, and behavior.
• Develop and troubleshoot new techniques and models; drive projects forward with scientific independence and rigor.

Laboratory resource management and record-keeping: 10%

• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous laboratory records and electronic notebooks.
• Manage reagents, protocols, equipment, and shared resources; support mouse colony and data organization.

Lab and scientific community: 5%

• Attend and present at lab meetings, journal clubs, and relevant departmental, collaborative, and institutional meetings.

Scientific writing:15%

• Write and contribute to manuscripts, papers, their own grant applications, and fellowship proposals.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications (must be outlined on resume):

Required Qualifications:

• PhD and/or MD (or equivalent) in immunology, neuroscience, or a related discipline, completed or expected before the start date.
• Demonstrated research productivity and the ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal scientific communication.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in one or more of: cellular/molecular immunology, sensory neuroscience, mouse genetics, single-cell or spatial genomics, in vivo imaging, or GPCR/opioid signaling.
• Quantitative and data-analysis skills (e.g., R, Python) and experience with genomics or imaging pipelines.

About the Department

The Department of Dermatology is committed to providing excellent patient care, conducting investigational research, and training the next generation of dermatologists. We have world-renowned clinical programs, nationally recognized educational program, and pioneering clinical trials. We are dedicated to improving dermatological care, not only for today, but also for the future.

Pay Range: Expected annual stipend will be $63,480, adjusted for the next fiscal year, according to University and Medical School guidelines.

• 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
• 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.