Postdoc Position

Postdoc Position

Summary: An NIH-funded postdoctoral position is available to study the molecular, cellular, and microbiologic mechanisms directing pediatric lung injury and repair in the laboratory of Matt Zinter, MD, Associate Professor in Residence, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care Medicine at UCSF.

Zinter Lab Focus: Lung injury in children can occur due to infections, inhalations, aspiration, inflammation, or toxicities from medical treatments such as chemotherapy. Lung injury manifests as difficulty breathing and low oxygen levels and may lead to hospitalization or even intensive care support with mechanical ventilation.

One group of children that develop lung injury is patients with leukemia and other disorders that undergo treatment with chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT).  These treatments can help cure the underlying disease but can also lead to lung injury, which is a major driver of morbidity and mortality. Paradoxically, patients exhibit high levels of systemic inflammation, yet also show limited ability to contain pulmonary infections, suggesting a multifaceted state of both immune activation and dysfunction that is difficult to treat clinically. Thus, a major gap in the field is the limited understanding of lung-specific immune signaling that drives the progression and hinders the resolution of lung injury in patients such as these.

The Zinter Lab focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms that influence lung injury in children such as these. As a translational research laboratory, we use primary patient samples such as bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid to understand our patients’ disease courses, response to treatment, and propensity for recovery. Our long-term goal is to leverage this new knowledge into the development of novel therapies to treat lung disease in infants and children. 

Description: Current studies in our laboratory leverage BAL fluid and paired blood samples obtained from pediatric HCT patients as well as non-HCT controls. One current project focuses on elucidating peripheral blood correlates of post-HCT lung injury. Here we compare cross-site transcriptomes to identify pulmonary vs. extrapulmonary contributors to patient mortality and measure alveolar and blood peptidomes to support improved diagnostic testing. A second project focuses on determining key pulmonary immune cell populations associated with subtypes of post-HCT lung injury. Here we use flow cytometry and single cell RNA sequencing of BAL cells to determine key lineages and transcriptional states that define lung injury subtypes and predict outcomes. Immune cells are characterized as marrow-derived vs tissue-resident and of patient vs. allograft origin to unravel the specific cellular drivers of post-HCT lung injury. A third project focuses on evaluating the functional capacity of pulmonary mononuclear phagocytes and evaluating the reversibility of hypo- and hyper-activation using ex vivo stimulation.

The Zinter Lab is highly collaborative. In addition to leading their own project, postdoctoral fellows have the opportunity to contribute to all ongoing projects in the lab.  The Zinter lab also has numerous, ongoing collaborations with investigators across UCSF and in Children’s Hospitals around the world, providing our postdoctoral fellows additional exposure to leading investigators in lung developmental biology. 

In the Zinter Lab, we value diversity of background, perspective, and experience.  We are committed to creating a highly collaborative, dynamic, and positive environment that fosters intellectual curiosity, creativity and passion for the discovery of new knowledge. The Zinter lab is committed to ensuring an inclusive, safe environment where all lab members feel equally valued. 

Job Requirements:  We are seeking highly motivated and driven candidates with a PhD, or MD/PhD and experience in molecular biology, cell biology, immunology or a related field. Expertise in lung biology is required. Expertise in primary cell isolation and culture, flow cytometry, and single cell sequencing is desired. The ideal candidate will demonstrate enthusiasm, passion for research, intellectual creativity, self-directed learning, and a history of working well in teams. Excellent organizational and communication skills and evidence of successful scientific writing are required. 

UC San Francisco seeks candidates whose experience, teaching, research, or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

How To Apply: Interested applicants should send: 1) a letter of interest summarizing their past research experience and career goals; 2) current CV; and 3) contact information for three references to matt.zinter@ucsf.edu

Location:

San Francisco

Greater Bay Area

Peninsula

California