Description
The Morley lab seeks a motivated post-doctoral fellow to drive a research project addressing their choice of several open questions regarding pulmonary immunity against bacterial infections. Dr. Morley is a physician scientist subspecializing in Pediatric Infectious Diseases who runs an R01-funded research lab at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO, USA.
Our research program investigates the pulmonary host immune response to bacterial infection (primarily Streptococcus pneumoniae). We have two lines of investigation, both supported by mouse models and in vitro systems. The first explores how actin cytoskeletal elements support cell motility, phagocytosis, and integrin-based mechanotransduction to NLRP3 inflammasome activation. The second analyzes a non-canonical function of the mitochondrial enzyme Co-enzyme Q6 in regulating the cellular balance between OXPHOS and glycolysis at homeostasis and in response to inflammation. We have substantial unpublished, preliminary data to support multiple clinically relevant projects through either line of investigation. Although we have recently focused on macrophage biology, I have expertise and can support anyone interested in lymphocyte biology.
Ideally a candidate will have expertise in multiple wet lab techniques, including mouse handling experience, flow cytometry, ELISAs, immunoblots, and tissue culture. A candidate must also meet high standards of integrity, responsibility and maintain excellent records. It is also expected that a competitive post-doctoral candidate will have completed a Ph.D. thesis and/or an M.D. degree, and authored at least one peer-reviewed manuscript.
Dr. Morley invests deeply in her team and prioritizes the personal and professional growth of those who work with her. She has ensured that every trainee and all staff who have been in her lab at least two years successfully completes a first-author publication, and her lab has a track record of publishing in high impact journals.
The Morley lab is centrally situated on the WashU medical campus with easy access to core facilities. The lab is surrounded by other labs engaged in robust, clinically oriented research endeavors, and Dr. Morley has established collaborators in multiple WashU departments, including the Dept. of Pathology/Immunology, the Dept. of Medicine, the Dept. of Molecular Microbiology, and the Dept. of Cell Biology & Physiology.
Requirements
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Information on being a postdoc at WashU in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/.
In general, a postdoctoral associate trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor including (but not limited to):
Assists with grant preparation and reporting.
Prepares and submits papers on research.
Assists in the design of research experiments.
Evaluates research findings and assists in the reporting of the results.
Conscientious discharge of their research responsibilities.
Maintains conformity with ethical standards in research.
Maintains compliance with good laboratory practice including the maintenance of adequate research records.
Engages in open and timely discussion with their mentor regarding possession or distribution of material, reagents, or records belonging to their laboratory and any proposed disclosure of findings or techniques privately or in publications.
Collegial conduct towards co-trainees, staff members and members of the research group.
Adherence to all applicable University policies, procedures and regulations. All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated in University laboratories remain the property of the University.