The Talbot Lab, within the Basic Sciences Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, is recruiting a highly motivated Post Doctoral Research Fellow, trained as a neuroscientist or a physiologist, to lead cutting-edge studies to understand the neural basis of intestinal regulation of secretion, immunity, and metabolism.

The Talbot lab studies the gut-brain axis, and how gut neurons sense diet and microbes, regulating immunity, metabolism, and nutrition. For that, we use mouse models, intravital and explant calcium imaging, genetically encoded calcium reporters, quantitative measurements of intestinal physiology, molecular immunology, viral-assisted neural circuit tracing, optogenetics and chemogenetics, CRISPR-Cas9 genetic alterations, single-cell genomics, and diet engineering. One objective of our studies is to develop dietary strategies that use the modulation of gut neurons to combat gastrointestinal-associated diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gut infections, malabsorption conditions, and metabolic disturbances. This research offers the opportunity to study the intersection of different areas including neurobiology, physiology, immunology, host-microbiota interactions, nutrition, and gastroenterology.

More information:https://www.fredhutch.org/en/people/t/jhimmy-talbot.html

The successful candidate will have the ability to work both independently and in a highly collaborative environment.

The fellow will be responsible for developing and executing a project related to the interests of the lab. Namely, investigating the role of neural circuits in intestinal homeostasis using a mouse model system. Potential research topics include to investigate:

• The mechanisms by which dietary components are sensed by gut neurons that regulate intestinal immunity and nutrient absorption.
• The neural control of intestinal secretion and fluid and electrolyte transport.
• The molecular mechanisms of plasticity in the enteric nervous system, and its functional consequences.
• Discrimination of commensals and pathogens by gut neuronal circuits.
• Immune modulation by gut neurons.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. in neuroscience, physiology, or related areas, and extensive (demonstrated) experience in:
• Mouse modeling and work in neuroscience or physiology, including knowledge of mouse neuroanatomy, surgical and dissection procedures, and animal genetics.
• Mouse survival surgery and stereotaxic or viral injections, including viral-assisted circuit tracing.
• Measuring neuronal activity, preferably by imaging with genetically encoded calcium indicators in tissue explants or in vivo.
• Quantitative analysis of imaging data, including motion correction, ROI segmentation, and extraction and interpretation of activity traces.
• Systems and circuit neuroscience, or organ-level physiology.
• Able to use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics, or high-technology applications to perform work duties, as well as equipment that requires setup, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Creativity and strong analytical and interpersonal skills are required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiar with optogenetics, chemogenetics, or in vivo recording.
• Experience in whole-mount tissue anatomy, immunostaining, and confocal microscopy.
• Familiar with Cell and Molecular Biology techniques (including western blotting, immunoprecipitation, cloning, PCR, qPCR, sterile tissue culture, virus preparation, DNA/RNA isolation, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing, flow cytometry, and cell sorting).
• Biostatistics and basic programing skills, in Python or MATLAB.
• Published evidence of productivity. A track record of first-author publications is required.
• Outstanding technical and communication skills are essential for this position.
• Capacity to analyze and interpret experimental data and summarize findings for presentations, grants, pre-prints, and publications.
• Dynamic and driven, engaging and encouraging in team environments.
• Willingness to write and apply for fellowship funding and co-author manuscripts.
• Provide intellectual and interactive commitment to the position by keeping up with appropriate literature and research publications.
• Interested in developing research in the field of sensory neurobiology of the gut and its intersection with immunity and metabolism, by utilizing an array of innovative mouse models and sophisticated approaches that we have developed in the lab.
• Able to contribute to a creative, collaborative and bustling laboratory environment.

Application Instructions:

Please apply by submitting the following files with your application:

• Curriculum vitae
• A cover letter including:
  • a brief statement of relevant research experience summarizing your experience,
  • a brief statement summarizing your interest in this position,
• the names and contact information of three (3) references.

The annual base salary range for this position is from $80,172 to $95,014, and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.Although Fred Hutch is not sponsoring most H-1B visas at this time, candidates who already hold an H-1B sponsored by another organization and are currently in the U.S. may be eligible for this position.Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, income-based child care subsidy, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (22 days per year), paid sick leave (up to 30 calendar days per occurrence of a qualifying reason), paid holidays (13 days per year), and paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).