Overview

The Department of Investigative Medicine at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Fellow research position in the laboratory of Thomas L. Rothstein MD, PhD, Chair of the Department of Investigative Medicine and Director of the Center for Immunobiology. Two kinds of projects are available. 1) Molecular Immunology—encompasses study of B1 cell development and function, including the role of human B1 cells and natural antibody in health and disease; BCR signaling pathways including receptor crosstalk and the IL-4-induced alternate pathway; B cell pathogenesis in lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune dyscrasias; B cells and aging, including atherosclerosis and infectious diseases. 2) Cellular Proteostasis—encompasses study of stress- and mutation-related protein aggregation including novel assays for protein oligomers; mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases associated with dysfunctional protein aggregation; mechanism of aggregation prevention and aggregation resolution by the unique protein, FAIM.

Postdoctoral fellows will lead research projects and have the opportunity to closely collaborate with experts in molecular biology, bioinformatics, genetics and biochemistry.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate is expected to carry out and publish cutting edge original research based on themes current in the Rothstein Lab, and to contribute to establishing and promoting a successful research environment.

• Direct involvement and participation in discovery-based research.
• Conduct independent research and assist in the conduct of research.
• Analyze data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
• Maintain accurate records of tests conducted, results, data and patients tested.
• Provides instruction in laboratory technique, instrumentation, and application of laboratory test procedures to new technologists or technicians and students.
• Assists supervisor and lab members in the development of technical procedures and protocols.
• Organizes and prioritizes work to meet specific goals and accomplishments.
• Availability to work occasional overtime on weekends or evenings to complete time sensitive projects.
• Acquires knowledge for new technology and policy/procedure revisions.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Preference will be given to applicants with a recognized record of accomplishment as evidenced by scholarly publications in the fields noted above.

• PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, developmental biology, neuroscience or a related field is required.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and accomplishments. A starting or relocation bonus may be provided. Ability for one house hunting trip.

 About the Center for Immunobiology

The Rothstein Lab is located within the Center for Investigative Medicine, a new division within the Department of Investigative Medicine. The Center is endowed with the very latest instrumentation to speed research discovery. Common equipment includes 2 BD Influx and 1 Melody cell sorters, BD Fortessa and Thermo Fisher Attune flow cytometers, a Nikon confocal microscope, Illumina MySeq and Applied Biosystems SeqStudio (Sanger) sequencers a QuantStudio 3D digital PCR cycler, a QuantStudio 3 RealTime PCR cycler, a Bio-Rad FPLC system, a Bio-Rad gel doc system, a CTL multi-spectral ELISPOT reader, a BioTek visible/fluorescence/bioluminescence microplate reader, a BioTek microplate washer, 2 speedvacs, several bacterial incubator shakers, and ultra-, superspeed, and cytospin centrifuges, among other items. In addition to the Flow Cytometry and Imaging Core, the Equipment Core, and the Sequencing Core, three separate, fully equipped common rooms are outfitted for BL2, radioisotope, and tissue culture work. Additional separate rooms house core equipment, freezers, and an X-ray developer. The Center floor includes a cold room, a conference room, and a break room. The animal facility is located on the same floor and contains a PXi X-RAD 320 irradiator and a BL2 room for in vivo work with infectious agents. Support for the Center includes a flow cytometer/cell sorter/imaging core manager, an equipment specialist, and a business and operations manager.

Also please send CV and the names of 3 references directly to Dr. Rothstein at tom.rothstein@med.wmich.edu and felicia.sidney@med.wmich.edu

About Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed)

We are committed to excellence and health equity through transformative medical education, high-quality, patient- and family-entered care, innovative research, and community partnerships within a just culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Our vision is health equity for all in Southwest Michigan through innovation in the practice and study of medicine.

The medical school is a collaboration of Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo's two teaching health systems, Ascension Borgess and Bronson Healthcare. The medical school is a private nonprofit corporation supported by private gifts, clinical revenues, research activities, tuition, and endowment income. Building upon a $100 million foundational gift in 2011, WMed is a recipient of the Empowering Futures Gift, a philanthropic commitment of $300 million to support the mission of the medical school. WMed contributes to the economic vitality of Southwest Michigan through the services we provide as well as the creation of 1,600 new jobs and an annual estimated economic impact of $353 million in Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties.

WMed is fully accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and the Higher Learning Commission. The medical school offers a comprehensive, innovative four-year Doctor of Medicine degree program and two Master of Science degree programs in Biomedical Sciences and Medical Engineering. We train physicians in 10 residencies and five fellowships accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. To support our educational mission, we have Joint Accreditation for interprofessional continuing education, which incorporates accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.

WMed Health is the clinical practice of the medical school with more than 300 providers offering comprehensive primary care and specialty services in several locations throughout Kalamazoo, Portage, and Battle Creek. The Department of Pathology faculty serve as the Office of the Medical Examiner for counties throughout Michigan and northern Indiana.

The W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus located in downtown Kalamazoo serves as the primary educational facility with faculty and administrative offices, student study and social spaces, team-based learning halls, a state-of-the-art Simulation Center accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, basic science research labs, as well as toxicology and forensic pathology labs.

WMed is building upon Kalamazoo’s century-long foundation of drug discovery and medical device development with a strategic investment in clinical, laboratory, community, and educational research. The Center for Immunobiology, Center for Clinical Research, Research Histology Lab, Innovation Center, and Human Research Protection Program contribute to the medical school’s advancement of knowledge through innovation and discovery. 

Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer of females, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans, and actively strives to increase diversity within its community. We provide a drug- and tobacco-free workplace. 

EEO Minorities/Women/Disabled/Protected Veterans.