An NIH-funded postdoctoral position is available immediately to study
the immunobiology of donor-specific negative vaccination in murine
models islet cell and vascularized organ transplantation in the
laboratory of Dr. Xunrong Luo at the Comprehensive Transplant Center of
Northwestern University. The long-term objective of this project is the
translational application of a tolerogenic negative vaccination protocol
in large animal models and eventually in clinical settings of islet
cell and solid organ transplantation. The successful candidate will
closely interact with the PI as well as with co-PIs Dr. Steve Miller at
Northwestern University and Dr. Bernhard Hering at University of
Minnesota to investigate the mechanisms of preemptive negative
vaccination on tolerizing anti-donor cellular and humoral immunity, and
therapeutic strategies particularly in setting of prior sensitization.
He/she will utilize an array of techniques (in vivo mouse models of
transplantation, tissue culture, cell characterization by FACS,
ELISPOTs, Luminex, transcriptome analysis, etc.) to determine the nature
and magnitude of anti-donor responses. The successful candidate will
also be encouraged to apply for external fellowships from the Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation, the American Society of Transplantation,
the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, and/or the American Society
of Nephrology. This position will provide an opportunity to build a
novel set of skills and expertise that prepare the candidate for his/her
independent research career.
Salary and benefits will be
competitive.
Requirements: Successful applicant will be a highly motivated
individual preferably with a strong background in cellular immunology.
Applicants must have a Ph.D. or M.D., and preferably with no more than 5
year of postdoctoral experience. Applicant should be proficient in
communication in English.
Contact Person: Xunrong Luo, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor
of Medicine, Surgery, Microbiology and Immunology, Medical Director,
Human Islet Transplant Program, Northwestern University Feinberg School
of Medicine, 303 E Chicago Avenue, Searle Research Building 10-525,
Chicago, IL 60611; Phone 312-908-8147; Fax 312-503-0622; Email
xunrongluo@northwestern.edu.
To apply: Interested applicants should
submit 1) cover letter briefly describing your research accomplishments,
interests, and career goals, 2) your CV, and 3) contact information of
three references to
xunrongluo@northwestern.edu.
Web address:
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/transplant/Faculty/index.html.