Position Summary

The immune system is able to control the metabolism of many organ systems, and disruption of these immunometabolic pathways contributes to the development of metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. The Brestoff Lab’s research focuses on understanding how immune cells regulate the function of white, beige, and brown fat to maintain normal metabolism and support adaptation to physiologic challenges such as high-fat diet feeding, changes in environmental temperature, and fasting. We have a special interest in understanding a process called intercellular mitochondria transfer, its molecular mechanisms, and how it contributes to the maintaining the function of organ systems in health and disease (Cell Metabolism 2021, 2022a, 2022b; Nature 2023). We employ cutting-edge techniques in immunology, metabolism, and mitochondria biology to study the immunometabolic pathways that are required for metabolic health and that contribute to disease pathogenesis. Ultimately, our goal is to discover novel biological pathways that can be targeted therapeutically or that can be leveraged to develop new diagnostic tests. We have developed multiple technologies with real-world applications, including mitochondria transplantation for inherited mitochondrial diseases (Nature Metabolism, 2024) which is progressing into clinical trials, an immunology-focused diagnostic test that is currently in clinical use, a metabolic cage analytic tool called Clambake that was successfully licensed to a major industrial partner, and a novel anti-obesity drug that we are developing.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assists with grant preparation and reporting.
• Prepares and submits papers on research.
• Assists in the design of research experiments.
• Evaluates research findings and assists in the reporting of the results.
• Conscientious discharge of his/her research responsibilities.
• Maintain conformity with ethical standards in research.
• Maintain compliance with good laboratory practice including the maintenance of adequate research records.
• Engage in open and timely discussion with his/her mentor regarding possession or distribution of material, reagents, or records belonging to their laboratory and any proposed disclosure of findings or techniques privately or in publications.
• Collegial conduct towards co-trainees, staff members and members of the research group.
• Adherence to all applicable University policies, procedures and regulations. All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated in University laboratories remain the property of the University.

Working Conditions:

• Works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological, radioactive and chemical hazards.

• Must be physically able to wear protective equipment as needed.

• Provide standard care to research animals if applicable to position.

Required Qualifications

At WashU, postdoctoral appointments…

• have a 5-year term limit that includes previous experience.
• comprise a recommended 10% of effort dedicated to professional and career development.

https://postdoc.wustl.edu/

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.