Postdoc Position 1: Molecular Virology
Altindis Lab at Boston College Biology Department is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow who has experience in molecular virology. We recently showed for the first time that viruses mimic human hormones and viral insulins are active ligands of human insulin and IGF-1 receptors. Our goal is to understand the role of these viral hormones in host-pathogen interactions and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. We seek a highly independent, productive and creative researcher to join our team to work on this exciting project 1,2. Experience and interest in dsDNA viruses and viral mimicry is preferred.
Requirements:
- Applicants should have a Ph.D. preferably in virology or a closely related area, and be highly motivated and dedicated to research.
- Solid background in molecular biology, is highly desirable.
- Experience with large dsDNA viruses (beneficial but not prerequisite)
- Experience with mice (beneficial but not prerequisite)
- Experience with molecular virology (e.g bacterial artificial chromosome) is desired
- Experience with basic experiments, isolating DNA, RNA, and protein from tissues and cells, qPCR and Western Blot, microscopy.
- Experience of mammalian cell culture of primary cells and cell lines
- Demonstrated scientific excellence; evidenced by publication track record as well as track record of presenting at national and international meetings.
- Experience with cloning
- Experience with immunology, especially with T cell biology (beneficial but not prerequisite)
- Experience with high-throughput sequencing (beneficial but not prerequisite)
- The ability to perform creative and independent research
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
- Good interpersonal skills.
Description:
Altindis lab is based at Boston College Biology Department, which provides, state-of-the-art support facilities including core laboratories for sequencing, proteomics, FACS analysis and animal facilities. We also offer a remarkable training including the opportunity to collaborate with top scientists in Boston and in the world. Because Dr. Altindis is an adjunct faculty at Harvard Medical School and Joslin Diabetes Center, the appointee will be able to use Joslin Diabetes Center’s core facilities and will have close collaborations. In Altindis Lab, we understand that racism, sexism and social inequity are embedded in our societies. We will continue our efforts to create an inclusive and supportive environment for each individual. To learn more about how BC supports diversity and inclusion throughout the university please visit the Office for Institutional Diversity at http://www.bc.edu/offices/diversity.
- The appointment is temporary and the initial contract will be for one year that will be extended every year, typically up to 3 years
- The postdoc is expected to apply for independent funding opportunities and awards during his/her stay in the lab
- The appointment involves substantial full-time research and include mentoring students in the laboratory
- The appointment is typically viewed as preparatory for a full-time academic and/or research position.
- The appointee works under the supervision of Dr. Altindis.
- The appointee is expected to prepare manuscripts and publish the results of his or her research during the period of the appointment and/or to have publications in press or under review during this period.
- The appointee is expected to help preparation of the laboratory’s grant applications and apply to postdoctoral fellowships.
- The appointee will be supported to join to one national or international meeting every year.
The position is available from July 2020. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the positions are filled, and the salary will be based on the NIH scale. More information: www.altindislab.com, application should be addressed to altindis@bc.edu and contain
1. Letter of motivation with a short description of your previous research and why you consider you are a good match for the position.
2. Curriculum vitae, including a description of relevant skills and experiences, as well as a full publication list.
3. Names, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers to 3 reference persons.
1 Huang, Q., Kahn, C. R. & Altindis, E. Viral Hormones: Expanding Dimensions in Endocrinology. Endocrinology 160, 2165-2179, doi:10.1210/en.2019-00271 (2019).
2 Altindis, E. et al. Viral insulin-like peptides activate human insulin and IGF-1 receptor signaling: A paradigm shift for host-microbe interactions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115, 2461-2466, doi:10.1073/pnas.1721117115 (2018).
Postdoc Position 2: Autoimmunity and Gut Microbiota
Altindis Lab at Boston College Biology Department is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow who has experience in immunology and mice experiments. We recently completed the first longitudinal human gut microbiota study in celiac disease1. Further, we recently discovered viral insulins and showed that viral insulins are active ligands of human insulin and IGF-1 receptors2,3. To this end, we have been studying the role of molecular mimicry in Type 1 Diabetes autoimmunity focusing on microbial insulin mimics. We seek an independent, productive and creative researcher to join our team to work on these two exciting projects2,3. The position is available from July 2020.
Requirements:
- Applicants should have a Ph.D. preferably in immunology or a closely related area, and be highly motivated and dedicated to research.
- Solid experience in mice models is essential (oral gavage, immunization, sc./i.p./vena cava injections, tissue dissections).
- Solid experience with Immunology assays (such as immune cell isolation from tissues or plasma (splenocytes, PBMCs, T-cells, multicolor flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, ELISA and ELISPOT) is essential.
- Experience with NOD mice model and/or different autoimmunity models (beneficial but not prerequisite)
- Experience with microbiome research, next-generation sequencing, library prep. and data analysis is a big plus.
- Experience with histology and microscopy.
- Experience of mammalian cell culture of primary cells and cell lines
- Experience with molecular biology is desired
- Demonstrated scientific excellence; evidenced by publication track record as well as track record of presenting at national and international meetings.
- The ability to perform creative and independent research
- Demonstrated scientific excellence; evidenced by publication track record as well as track record of presenting at national and international meetings.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
- Good interpersonal skills.
Description: Altindis lab is based at Boston College Biology Department, which provides, state-of-the-art support facilities including core laboratories for sequencing, proteomics, FACS analysis and animal facilities. We also offer a remarkable training including the opportunity to collaborate with top scientists in Boston and in the world. Because Dr. Altindis is an adjunct faculty at Harvard Medical School and Joslin Diabetes Center, the appointee will be able to use Joslin Diabetes Center’s core facilities and will have close collaborations. In Altindis Lab, we understand that racism, sexism and social inequity are embedded in our societies. We will continue our efforts to create an inclusive and supportive environment for each individual. To learn more about how BC supports diversity and inclusion throughout the university please visit the Office for Institutional Diversity at http://www.bc.edu/offices/diversity.
- The appointment is temporary and the initial contract will be for one year that will be extended every year, typically up to 3 years
- The postdoc is expected to apply for independent funding opportunities and awards during his/her stay in the lab
- The appointment involves substantial full-time research and include mentoring students in the laboratory
- The appointment is typically viewed as preparatory for a full-time academic and/or research position.
- The appointee works under the supervision of Dr. Altindis.
- The appointee is expected to prepare manuscripts and publish the results of his or her research during the period of the appointment and/or to have publications in press or under review during this period.
- The appointee is expected to help preparation of the laboratory’s grant applications and apply to postdoctoral fellowships.
- The appointee will be supported to join to one national or international meeting every year.
The position is available from July 2020. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled, and the salary will be based on the NIH scale. More information: www.altindislab.com, application should be addressed to altindis@bc.edu and contain
1. Letter of motivation with a short description of your previous research and why you consider you are a good match for the position.
2. Curriculum vitae, including a description of relevant skills and experiences, as well as a full publication list.
3. Names, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers to 3 references.
1 Huang, Q. et al. Children Developing Celiac Disease Have a Distinct and Proinflammatory Gut Microbiota in the First 5 Years of Life. bioRxiv, 2020.2002.2029.971242, doi:10.1101/2020.02.29.971242 (2020).
2 Altindis, E. et al. Viral insulin-like peptides activate human insulin and IGF-1 receptor signaling: A paradigm shift for host-microbe interactions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115, 2461-2466, doi:10.1073/pnas.1721117115 (2018).
3 Huang, Q., Kahn, C. R. & Altindis, E. Viral Hormones: Expanding Dimensions in Endocrinology. Endocrinology 160, 2165-2179, doi:10.1210/en.2019-00271 (2019).
