Job Description
The Blum Lab at the Salk Institute is seeking a highly skilled postdoctoral researcher with experience in mucosal immunology including T cell isolation, flow cytometry, single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis, and ELISA assays. The ideal candidate will have experience with both cell culture and animal models. This role requires a strong background in immunology and extensive experience designing and executing experiments.
Our research focuses on immune interpretation of dietary antigens. We seek to understand why some foods can induce anaphylactic allergy, while others are recognized with immune tolerance. Projects in the lab focus on identifying and characterizing dietary antigens, and evaluating how the ensuing immune response is dictated by both biochemical features of proteins and co-exposure to plant-derived biomolecules with adjuvant-like effects.
The Blum lab is committed to mentorship and offers a range of professional development opportunities. Incoming lab members with an immunology background will have ample opportunities to learn chemical biology concepts and molecular techniques. The lab actively fosters a supportive environment that welcomes trainees of all scientific and personal backgrounds and is committed to ensuring well-being and development.
Interested individuals with a proven track record of productivity and strong work ethic should send their CV, a cover letter summarizing previous research accomplishments and future goals, and contact information for three references to Jamie Blum ().
Who We Are
The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.
Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members , the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Lead and oversee research projects involving dietary exposure to antigens with subsequent isolation and characterization of intestinal T cells
- Test food fractions for in vivo bioactivity
- Identify bioactive fractions or molecules from food matrices that stimulate mammalian immune cells
- Perform heterologous expression of protein antigens in new hosts
- Analyze and interpret data, including flow cytometry and single-cell RNA-sequencing data
- Contribute to high-impact publications and funding proposals
- Train and mentor junior colleagues, contributing to a supportive and productive research team
- Ensure compliance with institutional research protocols and data management policies
- Perform other duties as assigned by the PI
What we Require
- Ph.D. in Immunology, Molecular biology, or a related field with relevant experience
- Required Skills & Experience:
- Extensive hands-on experience with cell isolation for animal tissues, flow cytometry, and other techniques such as ELISA, immunoblotting, and cell culture
- Extensive experience working with research animals
- Proven track record of research excellence, including peer-reviewed publications in relevant fields.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.
- Experience in mentoring junior scientists and managing research projects.
- Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
- Computer skills required: Microsoft Office
What We Can Offer
The full postdoctoral salary range for wet lab opportunities is $70,000-$77,500 (see below). This range covers the entire postdoctoral training period; recent Ph.D. graduates should expect an offer at or close to $70,000 (minimum of the salary range). Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
Experience Level/TierSalk Postdoc Salary0$70,0001$71,5002$73,0003$74,5004$76,0005$77,500
Benefits
Salk Institute offers competitive benefits , including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.
Salk Values
The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk s pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.
The acronym I CARE provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.
Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.
Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics, including:
- Any combination of characteristics.
- A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
- A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
