Postdoctoral Scholar, Physiology and Cell Biology (Gut–Brain Science Laboratory)

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Job Description

The Gut–Brain Science Laboratory, led by Dr. Rajan Singh in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative Postdoctoral Scholar to join an NIH-funded research program investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying gastroparesis, gastrointestinal dysmotility, intestinal barrier dysfunction, and disorders of gut–brain interaction.

The successful candidate will contribute to a newly funded NIH R01 investigating how gut-resident macrophages regulate gastric neuromuscular function and epithelial barrier integrity in gastroparesis. The project integrates mechanistic studies in genetically engineered mouse models with translational studies using human gastric and duodenal biopsies.

The research program combines neurogastroenterology, mucosal immunology, gastrointestinal physiology, molecular biology, single-cell transcriptomics, advanced imaging, and translational human tissue studies to identify disease mechanisms and develop macrophage-directed therapeutic strategies.

The postdoctoral scholar will have opportunities to develop an independent research direction within the overall program, publish high-impact manuscripts, present findings at national and international scientific meetings, participate in multidisciplinary collaborations, and develop skills needed for progression toward an independent research career.

Research Responsibilities

The successful candidate will work closely with Dr. Singh and collaborating investigators to:

Design and conduct mechanistic studies examining the role of muscularis and mucosal macrophages in gastroparesis, gastrointestinal motility, and epithelial barrier dysfunction.

Conduct in vivo gastrointestinal physiology studies, including gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit measurements.

Perform intestinal and gastric barrier-function studies using approaches including Ussing chamber/TEER and permeability assays.

Isolate and characterize gut-resident immune-cell populations from gastrointestinal tissues. Perform flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA and related molecular and cellular assays.

Participate in single-cell RNA sequencing, miRNA profiling and CyTOF-based immune phenotyping, including preparation of biological samples and interpretation of resulting datasets.

Participate in translational studies involving coded human gastric and duodenal biopsy specimens obtained through collaborating clinical investigators.

Prepare manuscripts, abstracts, and present research findings at laboratory meetings and scientific conferences.

Collaborate with faculty, research staff, students, core facilities, and external investigators involved in the program.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in physiology, cell and molecular biology, immunology, neuroscience, gastroenterology, pharmacology, biomedical sciences or a closely related discipline.

Demonstrated experience in experimental biomedical research.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research environment.

Evidence of scientific productivity, such as peer-reviewed publications, manuscripts or substantial doctoral research accomplishments.

Completion of a doctoral degree in the appropriate discipline is required.

The doctoral degree must have been completed within the five years immediately preceding the first date of appointment as a postdoctoral fellow at the University.

The individual cannot have held previous positions in the professional ranks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable: Gastrointestinal physiology, neurogastroenterology or GI motility
• Macrophage biology, mucosal immunology or neuroimmune interactions
• Transgenic/conditional mouse models and mouse colony management
• In vivo mouse experimentation
• Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and confocal fluorescence microscopy, single-cell RNA sequencing, CyTOF or high-dimensional immune profiling, Ussing chamber, TEER or epithelial permeability measurements
• Molecular biology techniques including RNA isolation, qPCR, Western blotting and ELISA
• Candidates are not expected to possess expertise in every technique listed above. Applicants with strong training in gastrointestinal physiology, immunology, neuroscience, molecular biology or related areas who are interested in developing expertise in neurogastroenterology are particularly encouraged to apply.