Postdoctoral Fellow

Morehouse School of Medicine; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Morehouse School of Medicine seeks a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the laboratory of Dr. Erica L. Johnson.

The role focuses on placental organoid development and translational studies addressing placental dysfunction, inflammation, and maternal-fetal health in pregnancies affected by HIV, ART, and substance use. The candidate will establish organoid and trophoblast models and collaborate across the lab. The ideal candidate has a PhD/MD-PhD in a related field, strong background in placental biology

Qualifications

• PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree in a related biomedical field.
• Experience in molecular and cellular biology.
• Ability to work with human placental tissue and potentially infectious materials in biosafety settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and optimization of placental organoid and trophoblast models.
• Design experiments to study HIV, ART exposure, drug-related inflammation and placental biology.
• Perform technical and complex research tasks independently and with the PI.
• Process and manage human samples with strict biosafety and record-keeping.
• Collaborate with lab members and present findings at meetings and conferences.

Skills

Placental biology

Trophoblast biology

Maternal-fetal immunology

Organoid culture

Stem cell biology

Molecular biology

Independent and collaborative work

Education

PhD/MD-PhD or equivalent doctoral degree

Tools

qPCR

Western blotting

ELISA

Luminex

Flow cytometry

Immunofluorescence

RNA sequencing

Bioinformatics

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Employment in this role may be contingent upon extramural funding and successful performance and may be terminated or reduced in percentage of appointment if such funding is not secured or ceases to be available.

Position Information

About MSM

Morehouse School of Medicine ( MSM ) is a place of distinction, serving as the nation’s leading academic medical center for vulnerable populations. It’s also a place for passionate individuals looking to join a dedicated community working today to help prepare tomorrow’s leaders.

We exist to:

• Improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities;
• Increase the diversity of the health professional and scientific workforce;
• Address primary health care through programs in education, research and service;

With emphasis on people of color and the under-served urban and rural populations in Georgia, the nation and the world.

At Morehouse School of Medicine, we’re leading the creation and advancement of health equity. You will find a fulfilling career at MSM !

Posting Number

Posting Number NONAC3772

Job Title

Job Title Postdoctoral Fellow

Position Title

Position Title Postdoctoral Fellow

Position Type

Position Type Other Academic

Number of vacancies

Number of vacancies 1

Salary Commensurate with experience

Department

Position Summary

The Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Immunology at Morehouse School of Medicine is seeking a highly motivated and talented Postdoctoral Fellow to join the laboratory of Dr. Erica L. Johnson. The selected candidate will contribute to an NIH -funded research program focused on placental organoid development and translational studies examining placental dysfunction, inflammation, and maternal-fetal health in pregnancies affected by HIV , antiretroviral therapy ( ART ), and substance use.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will play a central role in establishing, optimizing, and applying placental organoid and trophoblast-based models to investigate mechanisms of placental inflammation, barrier integrity, immune signaling, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The ideal candidate will hold a doctoral degree and have strong training in placental biology, reproductive biology, developmental biology, immunology, molecular biology, stem cell biology, organoid culture, virology, pharmacology, or related disciplines. Candidates must demonstrate research productivity, scientific rigor, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree in developmental biology, reproductive biology, immunology, molecular biology, stem cell biology, pharmacology, virology, or a related biomedical field.
• Prior experience in molecular and cellular biology.
• Ability to work with human blood, placental tissue, and potentially infectious materials in accordance with institutional biosafety procedures and required safety training.
• Willingness to take appropriate precautions and receive required immunizations related to potentially hazardous agents, as applicable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with placental biology, trophoblast biology, maternal-fetal immunology, reproductive health, or pregnancy-related research.
• Experience developing, maintaining, or characterizing organoids, stem-cell-derived models, primary cells, placental explants, or trophoblast cell culture systems.
• Experience with human tissue processing, biobanking, and clinical specimen management.
• Proficiency in qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA , Luminex, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, histology, cytokine analysis, and/or RNA sequencing.
• Familiarity with HIV , ART exposure, substance use research, placental inflammation, or drug transporter biology.
• Experience with transcriptomic, spatial biology, or bioinformatic analyses is strongly preferred.
• Prior mentoring or training experience with students or laboratory trainees.

Closing Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

Employment in this role may be contingent upon extramural funding and successful performance and may be terminated or reduced in percentage of appointment if such funding is not secured or ceases to be available.

Morehouse School of Medicine is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Georgia State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Morehouse School of Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.

Job Duties

Description of Job Duty

The duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Lead the development, optimization, validation, and maintenance of placental organoid and trophoblast-based models for studies of placental function, inflammation, and maternal-fetal immune interactions.
• Design and conduct experiments evaluating the effects of HIV , ART exposure, cocaine, cannabinoids, and related inflammatory exposures on placental organoid biology and trophoblast function.
• Independently perform a wide range of highly technical and complex research and experiments at the request of the principal investigator.
• Receive, process, aliquot, inventory, and maintain human placental and blood specimens. This work may occasionally require non-standard hours to accommodate clinical collections.
• Maintain complete and accurate laboratory records, organoid inventories, specimen tracking systems, protocols, and quality-control documentation.
• Collaborate and synergize with other members of the lab to promote lab synergies.
• Provide expertise and work collaboratively on other projects in the laboratory, as assigned.
• Compile, analyze, interpret, and visualize experimental and clinical data for manuscripts, grant reports, presentations, abstracts, and scientific meetings.
• Contribute to manuscripts, grant applications, progress reports, standard operating procedures, protocols, and regulatory documentation.
• Review literature for related research developments and techniques.
• Present findings at laboratory meetings, institutional seminars, scientific conferences, and collaborative project meetings.
• Mentor and train graduate students and other learners.
• Apply for fellowship, career-development, and independent funding opportunities to support training and progression toward research independence.

Pre-Employment/Employment Requirements

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization

Immunization Requirements

It is MSM’s Immunization policy that all Prospective Employees are encouraged to provide proof that they are vaccinated against COVID -19 prior to commencement of employment. If employment will commence during Flu Season, MSM requires all individuals to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless granted an exemption. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain an exemption from MSM will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Our vision is to lead the creation and advancement of health equity.

Morehouse School of Medicine
720 Westview Drive
Atlanta, GA 30310
404-752-1500

Partner Site(s):

Morehouse Healthcare