Description

Human Immunometabolism in Critical Illness and Sepsis
Stier Lab | Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

The Stier Lab at Vanderbilt University Medical Center is recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to study the mechanisms of immune dysfunction in human critical illness syndromes including sepsis and ARDS. Our research utilizes human biospecimens to ask how metabolic stress reshapes immune cell fate during severe illness and across the recovery trajectory and how these pathways can be therapeutically targeted.

Research Focus

Work in the lab leverages primary immune cells from longitudinal ICU cohorts to interrogate mechanisms of immune dysfunction during critical illness. Projects draw on a flexible set of approaches including single-cell RNA sequencing, high-dimensional cytometry, metabolic flux analysis, stable isotope tracing, and metabolomics to define and test pathway-level mechanisms in human immune cells. We actively pursue expansion of biospecimen sources and technical methods where they strengthen mechanistic inquiry.

Current areas of investigation include:

• Metabolic regulation of CD4 and CD8 T-cell survival and dysfunction in sepsis
• Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) signaling as a determinant of immune cell fate in critical illness
• Longitudinal dynamics of the immune response across the early course of sepsis
• Novel applications of stable isotope tracing to study human immunometabolism

Requirements

Candidate Profile

Applicants should hold a PhD (or equivalent) in immunology, metabolism, computational biology, or a related field. Experience in at least one of immunology, metabolism, analysis of single-cell transcriptomics, and/or relevant quantitative approaches is desirable. Proficiency with R and/or Python for data analysis or quantitative workflows is valued but not required.

Eligibility

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

Start Date

Flexible; as early as Spring/Summer 2026.

Application

Please email the following as a single PDF:

• Cover letter (confirming eligibility and including a brief research interest statement; max 1 page)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Contact information for 2-3 professional references
   

to: matthew.stier@vumc.org