Description

Description

Position Summary: The Ardeshir Lab at Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC) seeks a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our multidisciplinary team investigating the complex interplay between the microbiome and host immune systems. The successful candidate will lead cutting-edge projects in spatial transcriptomics pipeline development, multi-omics data integration, and computational systems leveraging deep learning architectures, natural language processing, and multi-agent reinforcement learning for knowledge extraction, biomarker discovery, and mechanistic pathway modeling in host-microbiome interactions.

About the Lab: Ardeshir lab explores how the microbiome shapes immune system function and affects health outcomes throughout life. Using rhesus macaque models and systems biology approaches, we're uncovering connections between microbiome composition, immune development, and disease susceptibility. Our goal is to translate these findings into new therapeutic strategies for metabolic diseases and age-related conditions.

Research Focus: The postdoctoral fellow positions will manage studies that are exploring the role of early life microbiome on immune system development and interventional approaches for extending healthspan through mechanistic understanding of host-microbiome interactions. The work involves leveraging multi-omics technologies, computational biology, and non-human primate models to identify novel therapeutic targets and pathways that can be modulated to promote healthy aging and prevent metabolic diseases.

The postdoctoral fellow will manage studies exploring:

1. How early life microbiome exposure influences immune system development
2. Molecular mechanisms that drive healthy aging and potential interventions to extend healthspan
3. Small molecule approaches in NHP models of metabolic diseases and aging
4. New computational methods for analyzing spatial transcriptomics and integrating multi-omics datasets
5. Gene therapy approaches to modulate host-microbiome interactions and immune function

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: Ph.D. or equivalent in immunology, pathology, microbiology, neuroscience, or a related biological science

Required Knowledge, Skills, Absolities/Competencies Typically Needed to Perform this Job Successfuly:

1. Background in bioinformatics and computational biology required.
2. Multi-year commitment to postdoctoral training.
3. Demonstrated track record of productive research with first-author peer-reviewed publications showing ability to design, execute, and communicate scientific findings effectively.

Application Instructions

Applicants are asked to provide a cover letter, CV, research statement, diversity statements, and the name and contact information for 3 references for review by the search committee. You may upload additional materials to your application.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Tulane University is an equal opportunity educator and employer committed to providing an education and employment environment free of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Legally protected demographic classifications (such as a person's race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, shared ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws) are not relied upon as an eligibility, selection or participation criteria for Tulane's employment or educational programs or activities.

Tulane University is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing an application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the Office of Human Resources by phone at 504-865-4748 or by email at hr@tulane.edu.