Postdoctoral Associate

School of Medicine:

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Be You.

The Hemmers Lab is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Associate with a background in immunology, single cell computational biology, or molecular biology. The successful candidate will join a dynamic and collaborative research team focused on understanding how developmental cues during early perinatal life shape the T cell compartment in adult animals.

Our laboratory studies the ontogeny of the immune system from fetus to adulthood and investigates how distinct developmental waves of immune cells contribute to immune function later in life. While developmental waves of γδ T cells and B cells have long been recognized, emerging evidence suggests that both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells also arise through distinct developmental waves, indicating that neonatal T cells may represent a functionally unique subset of lymphocytes.

Current research in the laboratory seeks to determine the contribution of neonatal-derived T cells to tissue health and disease in adulthood. To address these questions, we utilize genetic timestamping approaches in combination with high-parameter spectral flow cytometry, single-cell transcriptomics, and imaging analyses. Research projects explore:

• The relative contribution of neonatal T cells to the adult T cell pool.
• Whether neonatal T cell contributions vary across cell types and tissues.
• The functional outputs of neonatal-derived T cells.
• Opportunities to apply these findings therapeutically.

Candidates should possess strong laboratory and analytical skills and have an interest and/or experience working with mouse models. Ideal candidates will be self-driven, creative, and highly collaborative.

Minimum Requirements

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Strong laboratory and analytical skills.
• Background in immunology, single cell computational biology, or molecular biology.
• Interest and/or experience working with mouse models.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in cellular immunology research.
• Experience utilizing single-cell transcriptomics approaches.
• Experience with high-parameter spectral flow cytometry.
• Experience working with mouse genetic models.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Other Requirements

Application materials should include:

• Cover letter describing research interests and past experience.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Contact information for references.

Materials should be submitted to Dr. Saskia Hemmers at saskia.hemmers@duke.edu.

Work Arrangement

This position is onsite. Research activities are conducted in laboratory settings and involve experimental work with mouse models.

Be Bold.

Position Description

• Conduct research investigating how developmental cues during early perinatal life shape the adult T cell compartment.
• Utilize genetic timestamping approaches to study neonatal-derived T cell populations.
• Perform and analyze experiments using high-parameter spectral flow cytometry.
• Conduct single-cell transcriptomic analyses and imaging-based studies.
• Work with mouse models to evaluate the contribution of neonatal-derived T cells to immunity in adulthood.
• Investigate tissue-specific and cell type-specific contributions of neonatal T cells.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data related to immune system ontogeny and T cell biology.
• Collaborate with laboratory members on research projects spanning cellular immunology, transcriptomics, and mouse genetics.
• Contribute to scientific discussions, presentations, publications, and ongoing research initiatives within the laboratory.

Choose Duke.

The Hemmers Lab offers a vibrant and rigorous training environment for postdoctoral fellows. Researchers work within a highly dynamic and diverse team studying T cell biology through a wide variety of cellular immunology, transcriptomics, and mouse genetic approaches.

Postdoctoral Associates at Duke University benefit from a robust training community supported by the Office of Postdoctoral Services and the Duke University Postdoc Association. Duke University is a world-renowned university and medical center located in Durham, North Carolina, within the Research Triangle region and in close proximity to NC State University and UNC-Chapel Hill.

Job Code: 00003820 POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE

Job Level: 00

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Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.