What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Research Associate position at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine?
Erdogan Lab at Boston University Medical Campus is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Associate to join an NIH-funded interdisciplinary research program investigating how neuro-immune responses and interactions shape pain, infection, and tissue repair in barrier tissues in the oral cavity.
Erdogan Lab, in the Department of Translational Dental Medicine at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, operates at the interface of neurobiology, immunology, and microbiology, combining in vivo disease models, genetic and chemogenetic manipulations, systems-level profiling, advanced imaging, and translational approaches.
Our overarching goal is to define how sensory neurons respond to and interact with immune and microbial signals in dental and oral tissues and to translate these insights into pain management strategies and minimally invasive therapies. Erdogan Lab is highly collaborative, with active partnerships across Boston’s leading academic and research institutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, execute, and lead independent and collaborative, hypothesis-driven research at the intersection of neuroimmunology and oral biology
- Utilize in vivo models of dental injury, infection, and chemogentic approaches
- Integrate molecular, cellular, and systems-level approaches (e.g., flow cytometry, imaging, transcriptomics)
- Analyze complex datasets, including transcriptomic and microbiome data
- Lead projects from experimental design through publication
- Mentor trainees and contribute to a dynamic, team-oriented lab environment
Required Qualifications
- PhD, MD/DDS/PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in immunology, neuroscience, microbiology, oral biology, or a related discipline
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team
- A creative and rigorous scientist with a strong track record of research productivity
- Excited to tackle mechanistic, translational, cross-disciplinary questions
- Comfortable with (or eager to learn) in vivo biology and complex experimental systems
- Preferred: Experience in neuroimmunology, pain biology, host–microbe interactions, imaging, or transcriptomics
Candidates with clinical training in dentistry (DDS/DMD) with substantial research experience are encouraged to apply.
Please submit CV, cover letter, and contact information for three references to: Alecha Pantaleon pantaleo@bu.edu
For inquiries: PI Dr. Ozge Erdogan (oerdogan@bu.edu)
Boston University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive academic community.