The Haak and Tschumperlin labs at Mayo Clinic are seeking Postdoctoral Research Fellows to join our research groups for advanced training related to lung fibrosis and repair.Fellows will pursue NIH R01 funded basic and translational studies focused on fibroblast biology in the context of lung injury, inflammation, fibrosis and resolution. Our groups integrate mechanistic biology, chemical biology, and translational research to uncover how fibroblast subpopulations contribute to tissue pathology and to identify novel therapeutic strategies.

Research Focus for Project 1:

• The molecular and functional roles of senescent fibroblasts in pulmonary fibrosis
• Crosstalk between senescent/inflammatory fibroblasts and alveolar epithelial cells
• Mechanisms linking aging, tissue repair, and fibroblast dysfunction
• Discovery, characterization, and validation of small-molecule modulators using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models

Research Focus for Project 2:

• Define candidate transcriptional and epigenetic regulators of human fibroblast subpopulations in health and disease
• Create advanced cell culture models to study fibroblast identity and plasticity as well as interactions with other relevant lung cell populations 
• Develop nano-delivery strategies to modulate fibroblast functions in vivo

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and execute in vitro and in vivo experiments related to fibroblast and lung biology
• Perform and interpret molecular, cellular, and biochemical assays 
• Work with primary human and mouse fibroblasts, alveolar epithelial cells, co-culture models, organoids, and precision-cut lung slices, and in vivo rodent models of lung fibrosis.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists and drug discovery scientists to evaluate compound efficacy
• Lead manuscripts, present at conferences, and contribute to grant progress reports
• Assist in mentoring graduate students 

What We Offer:

• A collaborative environment with broad expertise in lung biology, fibrosis, and drug-discovery 
• Opportunity to work at the intersection of fibrosis, cell and molecular biology, and therapeutic development
• Access to state-of-the-art core facilities and screening platforms
• Professional development support for career advancement
• A robust training environment including potential eligibility for T32 support through our Translational Training in Respiratory Disease and Repair program

• PhD or MD/PhD, in cell biology, molecular biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, bioengineering or a related field
• Strong background in lung biology, fibrosis, cellular senescence, or fibroblast biology. 
• Demonstrated ability to independently design and perform experiments
• Strong publication record
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills

Preferred Skills:

• Fibroblast–epithelial co-culture or organoid systems
• Senolytics/senotherapeutics 
• Single-cell or bulk transcriptomics
• Fibrosis models (bleomycin, etc.)
• Mechanobiology or ECM remodeling
• High-content imaging or phenotypic screening