Position Summary

A Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available in the laboratory of Anthony French to study dysregulated innate immunity in pediatric patients with immunodeficiencies and autoimmunity. The French laboratory is interested in identifying and delineating innate immune defects in patients with unusually severe and/or recurrent herpesvirus infections as well as in pediatric patients with autoimmune disorders such as juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). Using cutting edge, high dimensional techniques including mass cytometry (CyTOF), RNA-seq, and whole exome sequencing, the laboratory has a number of patients at different stages of evaluation in these two areas.   

The French laboratory identified defects in peripheral PLCG2 signaling in NK cells from 17 treatment naïve JDM patients compared to 17 healthy pediatric controls which manifests in decreased NK cell calcium flux (Throm et al., JCI Insight 2018). Subsequent work on this project using RNAseq on sorted NK cell, T cell, and B cell subsets from treatment naïve JDM patients demonstrated that 1) NK cells have a substantially greater number of differentially expressed genes compared to T and B cells in treatment naïve JDM patients (compared with healthy controls) and 2) NK cells demonstrated decreased ribosome biogenesis uniquely in NK cells from treatment naïve JDM patients. We have recently identified a substantially expanded novel subset of low-ribosomal NK cells in the treatment-naive JDM patients compared to controls. (Hilliard et al., submitted). The ribosomal defects were validated by PCR and correlated with decreased NK cell function (including decreased NK cell degranulation when interacting with target cells). 

Separately, the French laboratory has identified genetic heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in PLCG2 in two families with unusually severe or recurrent herpesvirus infections. We demonstrated that these two mutations caused haploinsufficiency with impaired NK cell calcium flux and cytotoxicity (secondary to non-directional degranulation of the NK cell cytotoxic granules), while B cell function remained intact. The French Lab has established a collaboration with two colleagues at Columbia University to study the impact of a broad panel of PLCG2 mutations on NK cell and B cell function.  

For more details on the lab, please visit sites.wustl.edu/frenchlab/ .

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Independently conducts and interprets research experiments and documents research findings.
• Provides guidance to graduate students and other junior trainees regarding their experiments and data interpretation. 

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent terminal or doctoral degree.
• Experience in immunology, cellular and molecular biology.
• Possess strong written and oral communication skills as well as demonstrated ability to implement laboratory protocols.
• Highly motivated, creative, and able to work both independently and within a team. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with tissue culture, flow cytometry, and cellular functional assays.
• Experience with CyTOF.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis and R.
• Demonstrated ability to implement laboratory procedures, conduct research, and record findings.
• Exhibits independence, self-motivation, and excellent organizational skills.

Working Conditions

This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

Salary Range

Base pay is commensurate with experience.

Applicant Special Instructions

To apply, please email a cover letter including a description of career goals; a paragraph on prior research experience; a curriculum vitae; and the names and contact information for three references to Dr. Anthony French at french_a@wustl.edu .

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu  or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.