Postdoctoral Research Associate -University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)

We are seeking highly motivated postdoctoral research associates to perform basic and translational research in the laboratories of Drs. Angela Wahl, Martina Kovarova and J. Victor Garcia, Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases and Center for AIDS Research at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

We work with a multidisciplinary team of investigators from academia, government, and industry to develop and use precision animal models to study fundamental aspects of the immune system during health and disease and interactions between human-specific pathogens and their host. Our work is funded by multiple NIH grant awards, private foundation investments, industry and federal government contracts. Areas of research in our laboratories include:

1)   HIV Persistence and Cure: We are using state of the art precision animal models to study the contribution of different cell types and compartments throughout the body to the establishment and maintenance of the long-lived HIV reservoir (Nature Medicine, 2017, 23(5):638; Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2016, 126: 424; Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2018, 128(7):2862). We also use these models to evaluate the efficacy of new HIV cure strategies (Nature, 2020, 578(7793):160; Nature, 2020, 578(7793):154; Cell Reports, 2017, 21(3):600; PLoS Pathogens, 2014, 10(1):1003872).

2)   HIV Transmission and Prevention: In collaboration with academic, government and industry partners, we are studying the mechanisms of HIV transmission (sexual, intravenous, mother-to-child) to aid the development of novel HIV prevention and therapeutic approaches. (Science Translational Medicine, 2019, 11(499):eaap8756, Nature Communications, 2019, 9(1): 4156; Nature Communications, 2018, 10(1):4324; Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2016, 126(4):1353; Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2016, 126(3):892; Cell, 2015, 163(3):746; PLoS Pathogens, 2015, 11(8):e1005075; PLoS Pathogens, 2012, 8(6):e1002732)

3)   The Microbiome in Health and Disease: Together with our industry and government partners, we are developing novel precision animal models to investigate the role of the human microbiome in health and disease and its interactions with human pathogens of high clinical relevance. We are particularly interested in the role of the microbiome in drug metabolism, cancer development, and infectious disease. We currently have a large multi-institutional NIH funded program to evaluate the role of human gut microbiota in HIV acquisition, pathogenesis, and persistence. This work is also supported in part by the National Gnotobiotic Rodent Resource Center located at UNC.

4)   In vivo analysis of the interaction between clinically relevant human pathogens and their host including COVID-19: We are also interested in collaborative studies that use the novel precision animal models developed in our laboratories to perform basic and translational research on a variety of emerging and highly clinically relevant human pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, Zika virus, EBV, RSV, Rhinovirus, Metapneumovirus, Influenza virus, mycobacteria, and CMV (Nature, 2021, 591(7850):451; Nature Biotechnology, 2019, 37:1163).

Postdoctoral research associates will be highly encouraged to submit applications for postdoctoral fellowship awards from relevant institutional, government and foundation organizations. Postdoctoral research associates will also have the opportunity to prepare and submit abstracts to attend national and international conferences.

Candidates should be self-motivated and have strong laboratory and analytical skills as demonstrated by a strong track record of relevant publications. A D.V.M., M.D. and/or Ph.D. in Microbiology, Virology, Molecular Biology or other related fields is required. Outstanding communication skills in English as well as the ability to work well in a highly collaborative team environment are essential.

Interested candidates should forward their curriculum vitae and names of three references to either Dr. Angela Wahl (Angela_Wahl@med.unc.edu), Dr. Martina Kovarova (Martina_kovarova@med.unc.edu), or Dr. J. Victor Garcia (victor_garcia@med.unc.edu). Applications can also be submitted online at https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/194255

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.