Postdoctoral Fellow — Microbiome, Immunity & Cancer Shinde Lab | Microbiomes Institute | USF

The laboratory of Rahul S. Shinde, DVM, PhD, at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, Florida, invites applications for multiple Postdoctoral Fellow positions supported by two newly funded NCI R01 grants.

The Shinde Lab studies the gut microbiome–metabolism–immunity–cancer axis. We aim to define how microbial and host metabolic signals shape tumor-associated macrophage and T-cell function in pancreatic cancer and influence therapeutic response. Dr. Shinde leads the Microbial Metabolites, Immunity & Cancer Therapy Unit and is affiliated with the USF Microbiomes Institute and the USF Institute for Translational Virology & Innovation. Our interdisciplinary approach combines microbiology, immunology, immunometabolism, multi-omics, mouse models, and organoids, with access to patient-derived materials through collaborations with Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute.

Qualifications

Candidates should hold a PhD (or equivalent), or be close to completing one, in biomedical sciences or a related field.

We are particularly interested in candidates with a strong background in gut microbiome research, including bacterial culture, microbial genetics, and/or CRISPR-based editing. Candidates with expertise in immunology, cancer biology, macrophage biology, immunometabolism, microbial metabolism, or mouse modeling are strongly encouraged to apply.

Highly desirable experience includes:

• Bacterial culture, microbial genetics, and/or CRISPR-based editing
• Flow cytometry, macrophage and lymphocyte culture, and adoptive T-cell transfer
• Molecular biology, microscopy, and mouse surgery
• scRNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, or other multi-omics approaches, with bioinformatics analysis

We seek motivated scientists with strong organizational and interpersonal skills who work well both independently and as part of a team, with professional integrity.

What We Offer

Fellows will receive dedicated mentorship in a collaborative, well-supported environment. They will have opportunities to lead manuscripts and develop independent projects. They can also pursue fellowship and grant funding, present at national and international meetings, and build collaborations that prepare them for careers in academia, industry, or biomedical research.

To Apply

In addition to the online application, send the following to Dr. Rahul Shinde at rsshinde@usf.edu:

• Cover letter summarizing past research and future research interests
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact details for three references
• Reprints of two representative publications (optional)