Ecology Post Doc Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Announcement
Details
Open Date
09/09/2026
Requisition Number
PRN46184B
Job Title
Post Doc Res Assoc
Working Title
Post Doc Res Assoc
Career Progression Track
A00
Track Level
FLSA Code
Administrative
Patient Sensitive Job Code?
No
Standard Hours per Week
40
Full Time or Part Time?
Full Time
Shift
Day
Work Schedule Summary
VP Area
President
Department
01885 - HCI June Round Lab
Location
Campus
City
Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment
External Posting
Pay Rate Range
50000 - 70000
Close Date
10/30/2026
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)
Job Summary
The Round Laboratory at the University of Utah investigates the complex interactions between the intestinal microbiota and the host immune system, with the goal of understanding how these relationships establish and maintain health and how their disruption contributes to disease. Our research spans basic and translational immunology and microbiome science, with particular interests in how bacteria and bacteriophages shape mucosal and systemic immune responses. We use gnotobiotic and conventional mouse models, microbial genetics, immunologic approaches, and human samples to uncover mechanisms by which members of the microbiota influence immune development, function, and disease susceptibility. A central theme of our work is moving beyond descriptive changes in microbial communities to identify specific microbes, microbial products, and immune pathways that causally regulate host physiology.
We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow interested in pursuing one of two major research directions. The first focuses on early-life microbiota-immune interactions and their impact on the development of type 1 diabetes, including how microbial exposures during critical developmental windows shape immune maturation and influence later disease susceptibility. The second focuses on bacteriophage-immune interactions in intestinal homeostasis and inflammatory disease, with an emphasis on understanding how phage and phage-derived antigens are recognized by the immune system and how these responses influence bacterial communities, mucosal immunity, and intestinal inflammation. Both projects offer opportunities to combine mechanistic immunology with microbiome biology and to develop independent research directions at the interface of microbial ecology, host immunity, and disease. Check out our website at https://round.path.utah.edu/Huntsman Cancer Institute is committed to cancer prevention, care, and survivorship for all communities within the area we serve - which includes Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming - with impact worldwide.
In your cover letter or during your interview process, we invite you to share how your professional experiences have prepared you to serve as a member of our team as we work to reduce the cancer burden experienced by all people and communities. This may include description of your prior experiences related to research, prevention, clinical care, community engagement/outreach, training, administration, or other areas relevant to Huntsman Cancer Institute's mission and this position.
Responsibilities

• Lead an independent research project focused on either early-life microbiota-immune interactions in diabetes or bacteriophage-immune interactions and gut homeostasis.
• Design, conduct, analyze, and interpret experiments using approaches in microbiology, immunology, and microbiome research.
• Work with relevant mouse models, including gnotobiotic and conventional models, as appropriate to the research project.
• Apply cellular, molecular, and immunological techniques to investigate host-microbe interactions.
• Maintain rigorous, reproducible, and well-documented experimental practices and research records.
• Analyze experimental data, integrate findings across complementary approaches, and develop new hypotheses and research directions.
• Present research findings at laboratory meetings, departmental seminars, and national and international scientific conferences.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to grant applications and fellowship proposals.
• Collaborate with other members of the Round Lab and with investigators across interdisciplinary research programs at the University of Utah.
• Participate actively in the intellectual environment of the laboratory, including discussion of ongoing projects, literature, experimental design, and troubleshooting.
• Mentor and provide scientific guidance to graduate students, undergraduate students, and research staff as appropriate.
• Contribute to maintaining a collaborative, respectful, inclusive, and intellectually engaged laboratory environment.
• Pursue opportunities for professional development and work toward establishing an independent scientific research program.

Minimum Qualifications
Preferences

• Recent doctoral degree (PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent).
• Strong background in microbiology and/or immunology, or a related discipline.
• A strong publication record.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Outstanding critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working with mouse models is strongly preferred.
• Experience with flow cytometry is preferred.

Type
Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non-Discrimination page.
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As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.