Postdoctoral Researcher

University at Buffalo; Town of Amherst (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Public service loan forgiveness

Job summary

University at Buffalo's Holmes Lab in downtown Buffalo, NY, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to study innate immunity and pathogenesis in arthritogenic alphavirus infections. The role involves in vitro and in vivo experiments, tissue analysis, and manuscript preparation.

The lab focuses on tissue tropism, monocyte roles, and VEGF signaling; offers mentorship, HHMI-funded environment, and opportunities for career development.

Qualifications

• PhD in Virology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or related field.
• Expertise in in vivo pathogenesis, flow cytometry, molecular virology, qPCR, confocal fluorescence microscopy, histology.
• Highly motivated with ability to work independently and collaboratively in a small team.
• Time management and strong oral and written communication skills.
• Mentorship experiences in the lab.

Responsibilities

• Train on and perform in vitro and in vivo experiments related to arthritogenic alphavirus infections.
• Carry out qRT-PCR on mouse tissues.
• Carry out flow cytometry.
• Carry out microscopy and imaging of mouse tissues.
• Generate and maintain primary cell lines from mice and commercially available lines and perform infections.
• Develop projects involving single-cell and spatial RNAseq.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication.
• Work at both BSL-2 and BSL-3 with required safety training.

Skills

Flow cytometry

qPCR

Microscopy

Independent work

Collaborative teamwork

Education

PhD in Virology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a related field

Tools

Confocal fluorescence microscopy

Single-cell RNAseq

Histology

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher

Position Information

Position Title: Postdoctoral Researcher

Department: Microbiology and Immunology

Posting Link: https://apptrkr.com/9921002 https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/postings/65464

Job Type: Full-Time

Posting Detail Information

Position Summary

The Holmes Lab is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join ourlab to carry out research projects related to innate immunity andpathogenesis in arthritogenic alphavirus infections. Our researchfocuses on defining the tissue tropism of emerging arthritogenicalphaviruses and determining how cells that are permissive toinfection influence virus dissemination and diseaseprogression.

Our most recent published work demonstrated that, in contrast to established paradigms, there are two phases of alphavirus transportthrough the lymphatics at early times of infection, one thatprecedes viral replication, and a second that requires replicationin the skin which enables transit to the bloodstream (Holmes AC et al, doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113876). We found thatskin-infiltrating Ly6Chi monocytes promote infection of severalnon-hematopoietic cell types in the skin. Unexpectedly, in contrastto the skin, lymph node-associated monocytes are refractory tovirus infection. Our work highlighted that there is anunderappreciated role for cell-free, fluid-phase lymphatictrafficking during early alphavirus dissemination and that theremay be tissue-specific signals that govern monocyte permissivenessto alphavirus infection. Our aim is to identify and define themechanisms that drive monocyte heterogeneity in arthritogenicalphavirus infections. In a forthcoming manuscript (Holmes AC etal, submitted, PLoS Pathogens), we have identified asubset of platelet-derived growth factor alpha-positive (PDGFRα+)skeletal muscle mesenchymal cells that are infected via the majorarthritogenic alphavirus entry receptor, matrixremodeling-associated protein 8 (MXRA8). Infection of this PDGFRα+cell subset increases local vascular permeability to mediate virusspread directly to the bloodstream in a manner that is dependent onvascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling. Our aim is todefine the molecular events that underlie the VEGF signalingcascade during arthritogenic alphavirus infections and determinehow virus disseminates across the vasculature.

Duties will include:

• The candidate will be trained on and perform in vitro and in vivo experiments related to arthritogenicalphavirus infections
• The candidate will carry out qRT-PCR on mouse tissues
• The candidate will carry out flow cytometry
• The candidate will carry out microscopy and imaging of mouse tissues
• The candidate will generate and maintain primary cell lines from mice and commercially available cell lines and carry outarthritogenic alphavirus infections in both primary cells and cell lines
• The candidate will develop projects involving methods such as single-cell and spatial RNAseq
• The candidate will prepare manuscripts for publication
• The candidate will be required to work at both BSL-2 and BSL-3and will receive the appropriate institutional safety training

We are a new lab supported by funding from the Howard HughesMedical Institute (HHMI) and are looking to grow! The lab iscommitted to the success of all members and provides mentorship andopportunities for research and career development. We are locatedat the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences indowntown Buffalo, NY.

Healthy mix of work, personal and academic pursuit– all in an effort to support your work-life outstandingBenefits Package Working at UB comes with benefits that exceed salary alone. There are personal rewards includingcomprehensive health and retirement plan options. We also focus oncreating and sustaining a he effectiveness. We support your growthand development through our career coaching and training departmentand we qualify as a public service loan forgiveness organization. Learn more about the great benefits the University at Buffalo has tooffer.

About The University at Buffalo

The University at Buffalo (UB) #ubuffalo is one of America's leading public research universities and a flagship of the State University of New York system, recognized for our excellence andour impact. UB is a premier, research-intensive public universitydedicated to academic excellence. Our research, creative activityand people positively impact the world. Like the city we call home,UB is distinguished by a culture of resilient optimism, resourcefulthinking and pragmatic dreaming that enables us to reach othersevery day. Visit our website to learn more about the University at Buffalo.

The Research Foundation of SUNY is an EOE and welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with a disability.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Virology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a related field
• Expertise in some of the following areas: in vivo pathogenesis, flow cytometry, molecular virology, qPCR, confocal fluorescence microscopy, histology
• Highly motivated
• Possesses ability to work independently and collaboratively within a small team
• Time management and organizational skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Mentorship experiences in the lab

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in single-cell and/or spatial RNAseq and bioinformatics (not required but preferred)
• Expertise in live-animal imaging (not required butpreferred)

Salary Range

$60,000 - $64,000

Is a background check required for this posting?

No

Contact Information

Contact's Name: Autumn Holmes

Contact's Pronouns:

Contact's Title: Assistant Professor

Contact's Email: [e-mail]

Contact's Phone: [phone]

Posting Dates

Posted: 10/26/2026

Deadline for Applicants:

Date to be filled: 12/21/2026