Mid-Atlantic HERC

This Post-Doc Research Associate position is in the laboratory of Roland Tisch, Ph.D., within the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH). Enthusiastic and self-motivated candidates are being sought to join a basic and translational research program focused on the immunology of T cell-mediated autoimmune disease; specifically type 1 diabetes (T1D). Our group is part of an outstanding, broad and highly collaborative research community at UNC-CH.

The interest in T1D is two-fold: 1) Defining the events involved in the breakdown of self-tolerance to the insulin producing beta cells, and 2) Development of immunotherapies for T1D. The work makes use of several genetically manipulated mouse models of T1D, as well as humanized mouse models, and a broad range of cellular and molecular immunological techniques.

Projects are available in both basic and translational areas of T1D research. For instance, we have studies investigating the role of inflammasomes in regulating the differentiation and function of diabetogenic effector T cells, and their interactions with B cells and dendritic cells. In addition, efforts are ongoing to develop and define mechanisms of tolerance-induction by antibody-based and microparticle-based antigen-specific immunotherapies for the prevention and reversal of T1D. The work is supported by numerous state-of-the-art Core facilities.

Chapel Hill and the surrounding area provides an idyllic setting to live, with an affordable cost of living, and a close proximity to the Carolina beaches and mountains. The nearby Research Triangle Park provides opportunities for future jobs in the biotech research field.

Experience in immunology, cellular and/or molecular biology, and biochemistry is preferred. Working with mouse models is preferred, but not required.