Jackson Laboratory Hiring Postdoctoral Fellow in Host-Microbiome Biology / Organ-on-Chip Models, Farmington, CT

The Jalili Lab at The Jackson Laboratory, Farmington, CT, is hiring a Postdoctoral Fellow in Host-Microbiome Biology / Organ-on-Chip Models. Qualification: Ph.D. in a relevant field. Closing date: 27 November 2026.

Job Details

Organization: The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine (Jalili Lab)

Position: Postdoctoral Fellow in Host-Microbiome Biology / Organ-on-Chip Models

Location: Farmington, CT, USA

Reference: Workday JR006359

Closing Date: 27 November 2026

Job Description

The successful candidate will investigate how interactions between intestinal bacteria and patient-derived epithelial tissues shape cellular states, tissue function, and disease susceptibility. While colorectal cancer (CRC) will serve as a primary disease model, the research will address broader mechanistic questions related to cancer initiation and evolution, epithelial reprogramming, host-microbiome interactions, and aging.

This work will involve patient-derived human colon organoids and perfused, hypoxia-enabled colon-on-a-chip models with controlled bacterial-epithelial coculture, quantitative functional assays, and molecular profiling. By integrating advanced human tissue models with mechanistic studies, the research aims to identify and characterize host pathways that regulate epithelial responses to microbial interactions.

The role suits an experimental scientist bridging tissue engineering, cell and molecular biology, and host-microbiome research.

Key Responsibilities

  • Establish, maintain, and characterize patient-derived human intestinal organoids (nonmalignant and colorectal cancer) and integrate organoid-derived epithelia into microphysiological systems.
  • Operate and optimize perfused, hypoxia-enabled gut-on-a-chip models to study epithelial function, differentiation, barrier integrity, and host-microbiome interactions.
  • Design and conduct controlled bacterial-epithelial coculture experiments on microbial influence on epithelial states, function, and disease-associated phenotypes.
  • Apply cellular and molecular techniques including microscopy, gene-expression analysis, and quantitative functional assays.
  • Integrate functional studies with transcriptomic and other molecular profiling; contribute to publications, grant applications, and collaborative projects.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Ph.D. in bioengineering, microbiology, cell and molecular biology, cancer biology, or a related field.
  • At least one first-author peer-reviewed publication.

Required Skills

  • Strong hands-on experience in cell and tissue engineering, 3D organoid culture, primary epithelial culture, or microphysiological systems.
  • Strong cellular/molecular biology background (microscopy, immunofluorescence, gene expression, quantitative assays).
  • Excellent writing and communication skills; ability to work independently and in a productive team.

Preferred Experience

  • Prior experience in organ-on-a-chip or microfluidic systems, bacterial-epithelial coculture, gastrointestinal biology, or cancer biology is highly desirable.
  • Organ-on-a-chip, microfluidics, bacterial culture, or host-microbe coculture experience is highly desirable.
  • Prior work in GI biology, host-microbiome interactions, cancer biology, epithelial plasticity, or aging preferred.
  • Molecular profiling and transcriptomics experience is an advantage.
  • Transcriptomics, multi-omics, or in vivo models are an advantage.

Salary

Postdoc salary scale starts Year 0–1 at $65,589 (then Year 1–2 $67,318, Year 2–3 $69,095, etc.).

Documents Required

Submit all three components (incomplete applications will not be considered):

  1. Cover letter summarizing research training and accomplishments.
  2. One-page personal statement of scientific interests and career goals.
  3. Current CV with publications and contact information for three references.

How to Apply

Submit all three components listed under Documents Required through the official listing: The Jackson Laboratory Workday External careers (JR006359).

Additional Information

The Jackson Laboratory has a vibrant multidisciplinary research and training environment with unparalleled mouse resources and outstanding core services. Beyond lab training, JAX offers programs in science communication, entrepreneurship, teaching, mentoring, and laboratory management. JAX Genomic Medicine is in Farmington, Connecticut, within about 1.5–2 hours of Boston and New York City.

Interdisciplinary collaborations are available with clinician-scientists at Connecticut Children’s, bioengineers at the University of Connecticut, immunologists at UConn Health, and microbiome researchers at Duke University.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ORIGINAL NOTIFICATION / APPLY ONLINE

Closing date: 27 November 2026.