Postdoctoral Fellow - Hyun Jung Kim Lab

About the role

We seek postdoctoral researchers to investigate how gut microbes modulate immune checkpoints on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Using patient-derived CRC organoid models, we have demonstrated that live gut bacteria reduce the expression of surface immune checkpoints through an enzymatic mechanism. Successful candidates will identify the responsible microbial enzymes and elucidate their mechanism of action.

Responsibilities

• Identify the responsible microbial enzymes and elucidate their mechanism of action
• Work at the interface of microbiology, disease biology, and bioengineering
• Contribute to high-impact translational research at the convergence of microbiome science, disease modeling, and next-generation in vitro technologies

Requirements

• PhD or MD/PhD required
• Expertise in microbial biochemistry and enzymology, glycobiology and carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), proteomics-based target identification, protein engineering, microbial synthetic biology, host-microbiome biochemical interactions, glycoprotein processing, microbial physiology, or AI-assisted synthetic biology
• Experiences in engineering designer probiotics or liver biotherapeutics for targeted payload delivery or tumor-localized sensing
• Experience in organoid and 3D cell culture, host-microbiome crosstalk and mucosal immunology, cellular and molecular phenotyping, mechanobiology and biophysical processes, or GI disease pathology
• Hands-on experience in organ-on-a-chip, microphysiological systems (MPS), or new approach methodologies (NAM)

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in traditional biochemistry or cell biology
• Enthusiasm for emerging microphysiological platforms

Skills

• Microbial biochemistry and enzymology
• Glycobiology and carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes)
• Proteomics-based target identification
• Protein engineering
• Microbial synthetic biology
• Host-microbiome biochemical interactions
• Glycoprotein processing
• Microbial physiology
• AI-assisted synthetic biology
• Organoid and 3D cell culture
• Host-microbiome crosstalk and mucosal immunology
• Cellular and molecular phenotyping
• Mechanobiology and biophysical processes
• GI disease pathology
• Organ-on-a-chip, microphysiological systems (MPS), or new approach methodologies (NAM)

Benefits

• Nursing Support Career Paths
• Health Plan Options
• Dental Care
• Vision Care
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Short- and Long-term Disability Coverage
• Cleveland Clinic Investment Pension Plan
• The 401(k) / 403(b) Plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Caregiver discounts
• Adoption assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Hardship Fund
• Paid maternity and parental leave

Pay

Minimum Annual Salary: $31,200.00
Maximum Annual Salary: $95,000.00

Schedule

Full Time
Shift: Variable