Postdoctoral Fellow-MSH-30030-292

About the Role

The Palacios Laboratory is recruiting multiple motivated Postdoctoral Fellows to join a dynamic, collaborative research team working across complementary programs in emerging-virus research, including DOORs, VITAL, and REVISE within EVOLVE. These efforts seek to identify and validate critical virus-host dependencies, engineer safer and more durable immune protection, and develop precision strategies that create virus-resistant cellular states while preserving normal host biology.

Projects integrate experimental virology, functional genomics, receptor and antigen engineering, immunology, multi-omics, and in vivo validation to advance broadly applicable countermeasures against persistent, respiratory, and emerging viral threats. Individual project assignments will be matched to each fellow's expertise and program needs.

Responsibilities

• Perform virological and immunological assays under BSL-2 and BSL-3 conditions, including cell-based, ex vivo, organoid, and in vivo studies with viruses relevant to pandemic preparedness, persistent infection, and emerging disease.
• Generate, analyze, and integrate multi-omics, functional-genomics, immunological, and virological datasets to connect molecular mechanisms with infection, immune protection, and host-cell fitness.
• Collaborate with computational biology teams to prioritize host dependencies, receptor variants, and immunogen designs and to support AI/ML-guided analyses.
• Work closely with teams at ISMMS and partnering institutions, coordinating experiments, sharing data, and aligning research efforts.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings to report progress, address challenges, and contribute to strategy discussions.
• Prepare and publish research findings in high-impact scientific journals. Present research at conferences and program review meetings.

Requirements

• PhD in Virology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, or a related field.
• Expertise in virology, with hands-on experience in viral culture, cell-based assays, and host-pathogen interaction studies.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred: functional genomics or gene editing; vaccine or antigen engineering; cellular immunology; multi-omics; organoid systems; or animal models.
• Familiarity with BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory practices.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work within a multidisciplinary team.

Skills

• Mammalian cell culture and viral propagation
• Viral entry, replication, neutralization, and challenge assays
• CRISPR-based gene editing and receptor/function validation
• Flow cytometry, CyTOF, and cellular immune profiling
• ELISA, ELISPOT, Western blotting, and qPCR
• Multi-omics sample preparation and data interpretation
• Mouse or other relevant preclinical model work

About the Institution

Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with more than 48,000 employees working across eight hospitals, over 400 outpatient practices, more than 300 labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education.

Mount Sinai advances health for all people by taking on complex healthcare challenges through discovery, education, and patient-centered care. The system integrates hospitals, labs, and schools to offer comprehensive healthcare solutions, leveraging innovative approaches while prioritizing patients' medical and emotional needs.

The Health System is consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report, including top rankings in Geriatrics, Cardiology/Heart Surgery, and other specialties. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is ranked No. 11 nationwide in National Institutes of Health funding.

Pay

The salary range for the role is $72,500 - $80,000 annually.

Location

1468 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10029

PI/Supervisor: Gustavo Palacios, PhD

Administrative Contact: Molly Deroy, molly.deroy@mssm.edu

Palacios Lab Website | Department of Microbiology Website