Postdoctoral Researcher

Postdoctoral Researcher

Position Information

Position Title: Postdoctoral Researcher

Department: Microbiology and Immunology

Posting Link: https://apptrkr.com/9921002"">https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/postings/65464

Job Type: Full-Time

Posting Detail Information

Position Summary

The Holmes Lab is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join our
lab to carry out research projects related to innate immunity and
pathogenesis in arthritogenic alphavirus infections. Our research
focuses on defining the tissue tropism of emerging arthritogenic
alphaviruses and determining how cells that are permissive to
infection influence virus dissemination and disease
progression.

Our most recent published work demonstrated that, in contrast to
established paradigms, there are two phases of alphavirus transport
through the lymphatics at early times of infection, one that
precedes viral replication, and a second that requires replication
in the skin which enables transit to the bloodstream (Holmes AC
et al., doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113876). We found that
skin-infiltrating Ly6Chi monocytes promote infection of several
non-hematopoietic cell types in the skin. Unexpectedly, in contrast
to the skin, lymph node-associated monocytes are refractory to
virus infection. Our work highlighted that there is an
underappreciated role for cell-free, fluid-phase lymphatic
trafficking during early alphavirus dissemination and that there
may be tissue-specific signals that govern monocyte permissiveness
to alphavirus infection. Our aim is to identify and define the
mechanisms that drive monocyte heterogeneity in arthritogenic
alphavirus infections.In a forthcoming manuscript (Holmes AC et
al., submitted, PLoS Pathogens), we have identified a
subset of platelet-derived growth factor alpha-positive (PDGFRα+)
skeletal muscle mesenchymal cells that are infected via the major
arthritogenic alphavirus entry receptor, matrix
remodeling-associated protein 8 (MXRA8). Infection of this PDGFRα+
cell subset increases local vascular permeability to mediate virus
spread directly to the bloodstream in a manner that is dependent on
vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling. Our aim is to
define the molecular events that underlie the VEGF signaling
cascade during arthritogenic alphavirus infections and determine
how virus disseminates across the vasculature.

Duties will include:

· The candidate will be trained on and perform in vitro
and in vivo experiments related to arthritogenic
alphavirus infections

· The candidate will carry out qRT-PCR on mouse tissues

· The candidate will carry out flow cytometry

· The candidate will carry out microscopy and imaging of mouse
tissues

· The candidate will generate and maintain primary cell lines from
mice and commercially available cell lines and carry out
arthritogenic alphavirus infections in both primary cells and cell
lines

· The candidate will develop projects involving methods such as
single-cell and spatial RNAseq

· The candidate will prepare manuscripts for publication

· The candidate will be required to work at both BSL-2 and BSL-3
and will receive the appropriate institutional safety
training

We are a new lab supported by funding from the Howard Hughes
Medical Institute (HHMI) and are looking to grow! The lab is
committed to the success of all members and provides mentorship and
opportunities for research and career development. We are located
at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in
downtown Buffalo, NY.

Oalthy mix of work, personal and academic pursuit
– all in an effort to support your work-lifeutstanding
Benefits Package
Working at UB comes with benefits
that exceed salary alone. There are personal rewards including
comprehensive health and retirement plan options. We also focus on
creating and sustaining a he effectiveness. We support your growth
and development through our career coaching and training department
and we qualify as a public service loan forgiveness organization.
Learn more about the great
benefits the University at Buffalo has to
offer.

About The University at Buffalo

The University at Buffalo (UB) #ubuffalo is one of America's
leading public research universities and a flagship of the State
University of New York system, recognized for our excellence and
our impact. UB is a premier, research-intensive public university
dedicated to academic excellence. Our research, creative activity
and people positively impact the world. Like the city we call home,
UB is distinguished by a culture of resilient optimism, resourceful
thinking and pragmatic dreaming that enables us to reach others
every day. Visit our website to learn more about the University at
Buffalo.

The Research Foundation of SUNY is an EOE and welcomes all to apply
including veterans and individuals with a disability.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Virology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology,

or a related field

• Expertise in some of the following areas: in vivo pathogenesis,

flow cytometry, molecular virology, qPCR, confocal fluorescence
microscopy, histology

• Highly motivated
• Possesses ability to work independently and collaboratively

within a small team

• Time management and organizational skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Mentorship experiences in the lab

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in single-cell and/or spatial RNAseq and

bioinformatics (not required but preferred)

• Expertise in live-animal imaging (not required but

preferred)

Physical Demands

Salary Range

$60,000 - $64,000

Special Instructions Summary

Is a background check required for this posting?

No

Contact Information

Contact's Name: Autumn Holmes

Contact's Pronouns:

Contact's Title: Assistant Professor

Contact's Email: holmes8@buffalo.edu

Contact's Phone: 716-829-3307

Posting Dates

Posted: 10/26/2026

Deadline for Applicants:

Date to be filled: 12/21/2026

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