POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE

Work Arrangement:

Requisition Number: 263882

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location:

Durham, NC, US, 27710

Personnel Area: MEDICAL CENTER

Date: Dec 3, 2025

School of Medicine Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health. a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Research Activities:

Research Topic: Alveolar injury and repair in Pompe disease.

Job Description:

Pompe disease (PD), is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA) – a lysosomal enzyme that hydrolyzes glycogen. Recent findings from our laboratory identified the impact of GAA deficiency and glycogen accumulation in alveolar type 1 and type 2 (AT1 and AT2) cells. Specifically, we found that GAA deficiency in PD resulted in engorged lysosomes which significantly disrupted AT1 and AT2 cellular architecture. Lysosomes are an essential component of autophagy which is important for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Building on these novel findings, we are seeking a post-doctoral fellow who will work on a project that assesses the mechanisms by which a lack of GAA results in disrupted alveolar remodeling and repair after lung injury. Specifically, we are looking for a post-doctoral fellow who has expertise in lung inflation and harvesting, lung histology and sectioning, and immunohistochemistry. Some expertise in single-cell RNA sequencing is also preferable.

Requirements:

· Holds a PhD or equivalent doctorate (e.g. ScD, MD, DVM). Candidates with non-US degrees may be required to provide proof of degree equivalency.

· Animal handling experience

· Prior experience with lung inflation, lung histology and immunohistochemistry.

· Experience with R and with scRNA sequencing.

· Perform molecular, cellular, biochemical and immunological analyses.

· Optimize and troubleshoot experimental protocols and equipment.

· Design, execute and document experiments with sufficient detail to understand and repeat by other lab members.

· Update lab members on new developments in commercial reagents and techniques.

· Compile and document results, maintain lab notes, and assist in writing reports and research manuscripts.

· Intellectual curiosity and a growth mindset.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.