Career Center

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Associate in the lab of Massimo Costalonga, DMD, PhD. 

In this position, the postdoc will be responsible for analyzing, organizing, and presenting data, drafting manuscripts, and making presentations.  Finalization of all data, manuscripts and presentations will be done collaboratively with lab members and with approval of the PI.

The project in which this postdoc will participate involves characterization of how calprotectin regulates the activity of CD69⁺ tissue residents T cells in a murine model of periodontitis.  The functional interaction of calprotectin with CD69 on T cells will be characterized as regulating the extent of inflammation in the initial and chronic phases of murine experimental periodontitis. 

CD69⁺ resident-memory T cell regulation:  The CD69 receptor on tissue-resident antigen-experienced T cells binds several membrane-bound and soluble ligands.  For example, CD69 engagement on T regulatory cells was reported to induce immunosuppressive activities.  A putative natural ligand for CD69-mediated activation of Tregs is calprotectin. When released from infected or desquamating keratinocytes or neutrophils, calprotectin may interact with CD69⁺ T regulatory or T helper 17 cells, ultimately suppressing the immune response. 

Please note: This position is initially limited to two years based on available R01 funds from NIH.  Continued appointment is also contingent upon satisfactory performance.  Extension for additional years will depend on productivity and on continued funding by the non-competing yearly renewal of the R01 award.  Application for an NIH F-award within 6 months of appointment is strongly encouraged.

Required Qualifications ** Please detail all required qualifications on your application materials. **

• Ph.D., DDS, DVM, MD or equivalent doctoral is required
• Experience with murine models of infection, culture of bacteria, flow cytometry,  microdissection, immunoassays
• Experience with scientific writing as evidenced by published manuscripts
• Ability to work independent and in a team
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Excellent record keeping skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctorate in relevant field including 1 to 5 years of research experience preferred
• Collaboration within and outside of the laboratory is strongly encouraged
• Previous experience in mucosal immunology studies is an asset but not required
• Research experience in Langerhans cell and tissue-resident T cell biology, T cell activation, and protein-protein interactions

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