Job Description

and Responsibilities

The Mao-Draayer Lab is a translational immunology laboratory focused on understanding the pathogenesis, prediction, prevention and precision treatment of immune-mediated diseases to improve patients’ lives. We have large, complex experimental datasets partnered with detailed clinical data to help better understand disease and improve treatments.

Join our dynamic team in a well-funded research group in an autoimmune disease center of excellence. We are focused on identifying and characterizing mechanisms of autoimmune disease onset and flare, including regulatory immune mechanisms. We are seeking Postdoctoral Scientists with a strong immunology background to be part of the team working to understand mechanisms of autoimmune disease in humans by leveraging the extensive resources and data available from our well characterized clinical cohorts. The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic team with synergistic skills and experiences and will be given the opportunity to develop projects that complement the overall directions of the group. The team utilizes flow cytometry, deep cellular phenotyping, high throughput bimolecular assays, single cell genomic, proteomic, chromatin conformation/epigenetic and computational and bioinformatics analyses through resources in our Human Phenotyping and Translational Informatics Cores. We also have access to high performance computational resources both in-house and through cloud-based resources. Trainees have the opportunity to participate in large, national NIH-funded consortia.

This is a mentored position for postdoctoral training. Individuals at this level plan, design and conduct research experiments; manage research projects; prepare reports and papers for publication, presentation and future research; contribute to grant writing and are encouraged to write applications for fellowships; learn the complexities of research lab management and participate in various lab activities.

Benchmark Expectations:

- Conduct scientific research

- Manage research projects

- Present scientific information both formally and informally

- Prepare papers for publication

- Contribute to grant writing

- Perform lab responsibilities as assigned

- Work collaboratively and collegially as part of the team while developing skills needed as an independent scientist.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of the principles and practices of scientific theory and research; demonstrates skill in formulating and testing hypotheses; demonstrates ability to conduct scientific research analysis and summarize data and results; writes technical, scientific papers; writes grants and communicates effectively both orally and in writing; mentor students; provides analytic support and input to other projects in the group and guides/directs the work of less senior scientists.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a biological science, immunology, chemistry, physics or other relevant area, M.D., or equivalent.

• Highly motivated and enthusiastic about science.

• Must be detail-oriented, organized, and able to work independently, as well as part of a team.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to communicate and write summaries of result.

• Must be efficient with time and project management.

• Must have the ability to multi-task and work both independently and as a member of an interdisciplinary team with complementary skill sets.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Pathology, Clinical Science, or related field.

• Publication of at least 2-3 peer-reviewed publications, ideally as a first-author.

• Experience planning and efficiently executing mechanistic studies in human model systems.

• Strong immunology expertise, preferably with human immunology/clinical immunology experience.

• Evidence of applied analysis experience of immune and genetic data is desired, in particular experience with high dimensional flow cytometry (or other forms of cytometric analyses), cellular immunology, autoimmunity and/or human immunology.

• Exposure to human biomedical, genetic and/or clinical research preferred.

• Demonstrated basic computer (UNIX, R or similar statistical package) helpful.

• Experience with univariate and multivariate analyses, clustering, pathway, genetic and genomic data analyses and bioinformatics is helpful.

OMRF Overview

Founded in 1946, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is among the nation’s oldest, most respected independent, nonprofit biomedical research institutes. OMRF is dedicated to understanding and developing more effective treatments for human diseases, focusing on critical research areas such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. OMRF follows an innovative cross-disciplinary approach to medical research and ranks among the nation’s leaders in patents per scientist.

OMRF is adjacent to the campus of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) in Oklahoma City. OMRF investigators have internationally recognized expertise in Autoimmunity, Immunology, Genetics, Aging, Cardiovascular Disease, and Cancer. Our Autoimmune Disease Institute houses Centers of Excellence and specialty research clinics for Rheumatic Diseases and for Multiple Sclerosis and related diseases (e.g., neuromyelitis optica and MOG antibody-associated disease). In addition to following over 4,000 patients with these conditions, teams of basic and clinical investigators conduct extensive clinical, translational and mechanistic research using samples obtained from these large clinical programs. Investigators at OMRF enjoy close scientific interactions with OUHSC faculty and participate in OUHSC graduate programs. Additional information about OMRF can be found at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation website: https://omrf.org/

Located in Oklahoma City, a city that offers a dynamic and flourishing downtown area, with low cost of living, short commute times and a diversified economy, OMRF has been voted one of the Top Workplaces since the inception of the award. This achievement has been accomplished thanks to OMRF individuals who share a unified understanding that our excellence can only be fully realized with a collective commitment to our mission, “. . . so that more may live longer, healthier lives.” Successful candidates will demonstrate commitment to this mission.

OMRF Benefits

We offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits to full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision insurance, minimum 8% company retirement contribution, vacation and sick leave, and paid holidays. All employees have access to our onsite café, free onsite fitness center with access to personal trainer, free parking and much more! Relocation assistance available for those located 50 miles outside of Oklahoma City metro. Learn more about our benefits here

OMRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.