A postdoctoral fellow position is available in the Burn and Surgical Research Laboratory at Georgetown University. This position is fully funded for at least one year with options to extend.
The Burn and Surgical Research Laboratory focuses on a broad-range of topic areas that mimic the course a burn patient undergoes throughout their hospitalization and subsequent recovery. We study initial resuscitation, burn depth and excision techniques, surgical management, adjuncts to autografting, hypertrophic scar formation, pigmentation abnormalities in scarring, laser treatment of scar, and rehabilitation of the burned patient through both the physical and psychological lenses.
In-depth description of one topic area is the cross-talk between endothelial dysfunction, blood coagulation, inflammation, and resuscitation during the acute phase of burn injury. Additional shock states involving systemic inflammatory processes are also of interest (Inhalation Injury, Trauma, Sepsis). In particular, we have shown that post-burn injury, there is significant endothelial dysfunction proportional to injury severity that can be treated with certain resuscitative strategies. Our ultimate goal is to develop novel therapies to treat burn shock and ameliorate the effects of endothelial dysfunction during acute burn injury.
Another topic area of interest is in melanocyte biology and the complex interplay of the scar niche in affecting ultimate pigmentation phenotype after burn healing. Our goal is to understand the basic biologic mechanism through which scars become dyschromic in order to develop, test, and provide therapies to burn survivors.
We apply a combination of complex animal modeling (small and large animals) of burn, wound healing, and inhalation injury, 3D and 2D mammalian cell culture assays, fluorescent imaging, Western blotting, qRT-PCR, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy to answer questions surrounding these topics. We use transgenic mouse modeling within the Cre-lox system.
The ideal candidate should be self-motivated and a recent graduate with a PhD or MD/PhD degree with strong academic training in either cellular or molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry, or a related discipline. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in mammalian cell culture modeling and small and large animal modeling who have less than 2 years of formal postdoctoral experience. Candidates with a solid background in biostatistics and/or bioinformatics are especially encouraged to apply. Candidates with an MD only seeking to pursue a residency in the future need not apply as this position is solely meant to train translational scientists, not future physicians.
Excellent written and oral communication skills with experience in maintaining laboratory documentation and communicating data to a scientific audience are required. The candidate will work in a collaborative environment focused on translational research with mentorship provided by MDs and PhD-trained scientists. The candidate must be independent and have demonstrated academic productivity in the past. Specific responsibilities will include planning, designing, completing, and troubleshooting experiments. The candidate will be expected to prepare proposals, protocols, and presentations at internal and national meetings. Publication of manuscripts is also expected and encouraged.
The Burn and Surgical Research Laboratory is located on both the campus of Georgetown University Medical Center and MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Lab and animal work with occur primarily at Georgetown University. Some travel to MWHC may be required. Seminars, journal clubs, and usage of core facilities will occur at both locations.
The following papers describe our prior work in this field:
PMIDs: 34089618, 33394974, 31841734, 35180493, 33893737, 31804296, 30502286, 30174566
The salary range for all Postdoctoral Fellows is$61,008 – 74,088, which represents the full range of anticipated compensation for this position. Compensation is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s individual qualifications, experience, education, skills, and certifications, as well as the University’s business needs and external factors.
Application Instructions
Application materials should be submitted through Interfolio. Applicants should submit: (1) a cover letter; and (2) a curriculum vitae. For questions related to this position, please contact Dr. Bonnie Carney at bcc61@georgetown.edu or Dr. Jeffrey Shupp at jeffrey.w.shupp@gunet.georgetown.edu. The position is available beginning July 1, 2026.
GU is an Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, citizenship, color, disability, family responsibilities, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, matriculation, national origin, race, religion, personal appearance, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law
Requesting Accommodations
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process, please visit the Office for Equal Opportunity Compliance website fo r general information about requesting accommodations, as well as information about requesting accommodations specifically for applicantsYou also can also contact the Office for Equal Opportunity Compliance at (202) 687-4798 or oeoc@georgetown.edu
