Current openings in the lab
Please check our blog for specific job postings :
blog.nevillab.org
Post Docs : We are currently recruiting postdocs for two projects in the lab. In addition to people interested in basic Immunology (see: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34644571/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32513716/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35816444/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30953766/) we are also recruiting for a collaborative project that tracks the initial immune responses to vaccines using molecular profiling and computational models.
The lab has a rich stream of molecular and cellular Immunology projects - please email Nevil to discuss if you are interested. Postdocs will have the opportunity to develop their own independent programs within the theme of the lab's (broad) interests. In addition opportunities for collaborating with other teams at UMSOM and the NIH intramural campus (Bethesda) are available. The university has several individual career development programs to support your growth along a variety of future career tracks. The Maryland-DC area is rich in multiple academic, industry, policy, federal, etc. scientific opportunities that form an unparalleled ecosystem for future employment.
Current areas of research interest in the lab include :
- T cell tolerance to self antigens : We use mouse model systems to examine how CD4 T cells become tolerant to self antigens in the periphery. Cellular questions relate to the role of costimulation, chronic antigen presentation and cellular context in the decision-making between tolerance and immunity. Molecular projects focus on new regulators of tolerance identified by transcriptomic screens.
- Control of Lymphocyte signaling:1. Mechanisms regulating T cell receptor signaling and negative feedback, 2. CD5 and the NFkB signaling module in T cells. 3. How neuronal signals to T cells modifies the AgR signaling network.
- Innate activation and cytokine biology: We have a longstanding interest in the biology of the IL-12 family cytokines and how these heterodimers help coordinate the cellular immune response between infected tissue sites, resident/migratory DCs and T cells.
- Systems vaccinology : We have recently been funded by DARPA to evaluate mechanisms of Immunological memory, developing from commonly used vaccines. This involves a collaboration between cellular, omics and computational teams based at UMSOM, Arizona State University and the NIAID/NIH (Bethesda). In addition we are collaborating with the Fuerst group at IBBR to evaluate a preclinical HCV vaccine.
Graduate Students & Rotations: Note that graduate students interested in the lab must apply to the UMSOM graduate program : https://lifesciences.umaryland.edu/. But feel free to contact Nevil if you have any questions about graduate research opportunities in the lab.
- Rotation and Graduate projects in the lab are typically tailored individually based on their research interests and experimental aptitude; i.e. students have the opportunity to develop a branch of research on their own - without being handed "an aim of an RO1" with specific experimental plans. Examples of previous and current questions include :
- How does antigen persistence affect T cell differentiation ?
- What is the molecular basis of T cell tolerance and memory formation ?
- How do T cells home to and take up residence in different tissues ?
- What are the biochemical mechanisms by which a specific T cell surface molecule (incl. CD5) regulates T cell activation ?
- How do different tissues affect T cell differentiation ?
- What are the triggers in subsets of dendritic cells for making different IL-12 family cytokines ?
- How do neuropeptides control T cell responses ?
- Which neurons interact with T cells in vivo and how does that relate to behavioral inputs ?
- How are some vaccines capable of eliciting life long immunity while protection from others wane quickly ?
- What are the mechanisms by which different signaling pathways downstream of the TCR interact ?
Interns and Post Bacs: Unlike some institutions, we do not have a separate post-bac trainee track at the UMSOM. If you are taking a gap year after school or looking to spend 1-2 years gaining research wisdom, you would typically be hired in a staff position (as a lab technician or research assistant). Regardless of the title, the position involves significant training as a student - not just in assisting with experiments. You would participate in independent projects, journal clubs, data presentations, attend conferences (if available) and take courses (as required) in consultation with Nevil. Contact the lab if you are interested.
Recently we were awarded 4 position to recruit high school and undergraduate interns as part of the US Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP). Please visit our blog page to see updates (coming soon)