Postdoctoral Scientist - Human Microbiome Research Institute

Cedars-Sinai has established a new Human Microbiome Research Institute that will support investigators studying how the microbiome, the diverse collection of bacteria, fungi and viruses that live in and on the human body, plays a role in health.
The Human Microbiome Research Institute (HMRI) is an innovation hub and coordinating center for Microbiome Research at Cedars-Sinai. The HMRI facilitates exciting human and animal studies from Cedars-Sinai investigators and external collaborators across multiple areas of research including cancer, GI diseases, autoimmunity, metabolism, and early life development. The applicant will have exciting exposure to these broad areas of study with the central uniting theme being that we wish to understand the role of the microbes in and on our bodies in the progression of these diseases.
Are you ready to be a part of breakthrough research?
Working independently but in close cooperation and in consultation with Dr. Suzanne Devkota and other Research Scientists, the Postdoctoral Scientist will perform routine and complex laboratory procedures throughout the training period. Analyzes and interprets data. May develop, adapt, and implement new research techniques and protocols.
Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• May assist in the preparation of grant proposals, but is not responsible for generating grant funds.
• May participate in publications and presentations as author or co-author.
• Designs and performs experiments. Will keep appropriate experimental records and documentation and analyze the results with the Principal Investigator.
• Analyzes interpret, summarizes, and compiles data.
• Performs routine and complex laboratory procedures throughout the training period.
• Operates and maintains equipment and instruments.
• May observe MD-patient or MD-human research subject interactions as it pertains directly to research being performed.

• Perform surgical procedures on animals and carry out necessary protocols for projects.
• Conduct dissections of human tissue samples for research purposes.
• Efficiently organize and manage large numbers of clinical samples.
• Maintain primary cell cultures from clinical specimens and isolate bacterial, DNA, and RNA from diverse sample types.
• Cultivate live bacteria from tissues for further analysis.
• Prepare microbial DNA for qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) and sequencing.
• Perform 16S rRNA sequencing analysis to study microbial communities.
• Conduct host tissue analyses using techniques such as ELISA, Western blotting, PCR, qPCR, and single-cell RNA-seq.
• Perform ex vivo and in vitro immune assays to investigate immune responses.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with colleagues and collaborators throughout the research process.

• Doctorate (MD, PhD, VMD, or DDS) in area directly related to field of research specialization.

• Acquires thorough technical and theoretical knowledge of research project and objectives during one to five (1-5) year post-doctoral appointment.
• Works independently on research projects designed by a mentor (typically the PI) within area of specialization.
• Demonstrated aptitude to perform experimental protocols and procedures, including detailed data collection, and analysis and operation and maintenance of specialized equipment.
• Function efficiently and cooperatively with a team of faculty, research associates, technicians, and students.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential.
• Knowledge of safety standards and maintenance of specialized equipment.