The Leitinger laboratory studies the regulation of immune cell-mediated inflammatory and metabolic responses in infectious and chronic progressive diseases including atherosclerosis, heart failure, diabetes and fatty liver disease. We are particularly interested in how tissue damage is translated into chronic inflammation and tissue fibrosis, and how oxidized phospholipids and other danger signals such as ATP or heme contribute to these processes. We use mass spectrometry and metabolomics to identify and characterize novel danger-associated molecules that can be used as biomarkers of disease progression. The overall goal of our research is to identify mechanisms that drive pathologies in chronic progressive diseases and to devise therapeutic strategies that either halt the progression to fibrosis and/or lead to resolution of the inflammatory response. 

Our laboratory identified the function of oxidized phospholipids as immune-regulators and we first described the redox-regulatory macrophage phenotype “Mox” [Kadl et al., Circulation Research 2010]. Recently, we developed gene-therapy-based therapeutic approaches that target oxidized phospholipids to prevent chronic inflammatory tissue damage [Science Advances 8-28:eabn0050, 2022, PMID: 35857497]. Our lab identified Acetyl CoA Carboxylase (ACC) as a key enzyme regulating the inflammatory response in macrophages [Science Advances, 8-47:eabq1984, 2022, PMID: 36417534], providing an opportunity to investigate the link between lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses in immune cells. 

The NIH-funded project will use genetic approaches, bioenergetics analysis, metabolomics and lipidomics to determine the role of lipid metabolism in the inflammation-driven metabolic response and the production of pro-resolving lipid mediators by macrophages and in murine models of bacterial infection. 

The research associate is expected to lead their own projects, to collaborate on other projects and guide PhD students in their research. Funding from existing NIH training grants (competitive) is possible.The acquisition of additional extramural funding is encouraged. More info about the Leitinger Laboratory can be found at leitingerlab.com

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must have a doctoral degree, preferably a PhD in biological or chemical sciences with 3 years of productive graduate research experience. Experience in at least one of these areas is preferred: cardiovascular biology, immunology, metabolism, animal models, cell biology, lipid biochemistry, mass spectrometry.

Postdoctoral employment is normally limited to an individual who has been awarded a doctoral degree within the previous five years. This is a 12-month appointment with the possibility of renewal (for an additional two, one-year increments) contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funding. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

This position will remain open until filled. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.  A completed pre-employment health screen is required for this position prior to employment.

TO APPLY

Please apply through Workday , and search for R0051951. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs'. Complete an application online with the following documents:

• CV or Resume
• Cover letter
• Contact information for three professional references

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Questions relating to the application process should be directed to Jeremy Brofft, Senior Recruiting Specialist, xmf9ad@virginia.edu .

For information on resources for postdocs at UVA, visit https://postdoc.virginia.edu/ . For more information on the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville .

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.