Job Description

The Monell Chemical Senses Center is a world-renowned non-profit research institute and a global leader dedicated to advancing knowledge about the senses of taste, smell, and related senses and translating its discoveries into real-world advances in policy, practice, and behavior. Monell is located in the heart of the vibrant educational and life sciences hub of Philadelphia.

The Monell Chemical Senses Center is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join the laboratory of Juyun Lim. The Lim Lab investigates how the human taste system detects nutrients in the foods we consume and how taste influences digestion, metabolism, and health outcomes.

Our research explores questions such as:

• How does the human taste system detect nutrients from foods we consume?
• What role does taste play in digestion and metabolic responses?
• What intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to differences in taste perception and metabolic outcomes across individuals?

To address these questions, the lab integrates human sensory testing, clinical and translational research methods, and biochemical analyses Research approaches include measuring human sensory perception, collecting and analyzing biospecimens such as saliva and blood, and adapting chemical methods to modify foods or food ingredients for use in human testing. This work helps uncover how the taste system recognizes nutrients and informs broader questions related to nutrition, metabolism, and human health.

Position Responsibilities

The postdoctoral researcher will:

• Design and conduct independent and collaborative research projects related to human taste perception, nutrition, digestion, and metabolism
• Lead human participant studies, including protocol development, participant interaction, and data collection
• Collect, process, and analyze biological samples (e.g., saliva, blood, other biospecimens)
• Contribute to experimental design involving food formulation or ingredient modification for sensory testing
• Analyze and interpret experimental data using appropriate statistical methods
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Present research findings at scientific conferences and seminars
• Assist with mentoring students and trainees in the laboratory
• Contribute to grant development and other collaborative research initiatives as appropriate

Check out https://monell.org/postdoctoral/ for more information on postdoctoral training at Monell Chemical Senses Center.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Behavioral or Biological Science, Food Science, Neuroscience, Nutrition, Psychology, Physiology, or related field, awarded within the past three years

• Experience conducting research with human subjects is preferred but not required

• Experience handling and processing biological (saliva, blood) samples is preferred but not required

• Demonstrated research productivity, including first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals

• Strong work ethic, independence and motivation

Application Instructions

This full-time position offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience.

Please submit:

• A cover letter explaining your experience, research interests and career goals.
• A curriculum vitae.
• Any recent publications
• The names and contact information of 3 references

Questions may be directed to AcademicAffairs@Monell.org

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Monell Chemical Senses Center shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.