Summary

Baylor College of Medicine is located in the vibrant Texas Medical Center, which is home to multiple cutting-edge biomedical research institutions and provides a rich and stimulating research environment. The Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology is a multidisciplinary and highly collaborative unit with strong emphasis on basic and translational research.

A postdoctoral position is available in Dr. Sashi Ramani’s lab (Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology) to study enteric viruses and host-microbiome interactions. The postdoc will analyze microbiome and virome datasets (16S rRNA and WGS) from clinical samples and will develop and apply advanced analysis pipelines. The role also involves using next-generation human organoid co-cultures to investigate how microbiome-host interactions influence enteric virus replication and pathogenesis. These studies will be carried out in collaboration with Drs. Estes and Atmar’s laboratories. Our groups pioneered human organoid models to study host-virus interactions, and ongoing work is expanding these systems to include microbial communities. The ultimate goal is to uncover mechanisms and identify new strategies for preventing and treating infections. Candidates should have a strong background in computational biology, microbiology wet lab skills, and a collaborative mindset.

The position requires a person who is a creative computational biologist able to work well within a highly creative and productive environment and with a willingness to be a team player. The successful postdoctoral candidate will benefit from collaborations with leading experts in basic and clinical studies of enteric viruses and be part of a group that nurtures a team science approach to enteric infectious diseases. The postdoctoral candidate will receive advanced training on using next generation organoid cultures for studies on enteric viral infections and be an integral member of our established research team. This position will be supported through NIH funded grants. 

Job Duties

• Designs, directs and conducts specialized and advanced research experiments.
• Works both independently and in conjunction with others who are part of the collaborative research teams.
• Evaluates and analyzes data.
• Establishes new research protocols and procedures.
• Summarizes research findings in lab meetings and local and NIH-sponsored meetings.
• Acquires exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Presents research findings at national meetings.
• Publishes results in research journals.
• Trains students and other team members. 

Minimum Qualifications

• MD or Ph.D. in Basic Science, Health Science, or a related field.
• No experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong background in microbiology, cell biology and microbiome studies.
• Strong organization skills and highly motivated. 
• Previous experience with NexGen data and ‘omics’ analyses are strongly desired.