Position Overview and Responsibilities
The laboratory of Dr. Meng Zhao in the Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Research Program at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scientist to investigate the metabolic regulation of T cells in the pathogenesis of human diseases. The Postdoc's project focuses on understanding the mechanistic interaction between metabolic remodeling and immune functions during the development of autoimmune, infectious diseases or cancer. The Postdoc will work with cutting edge resources including spectral flowcytometry, high resolution microscopy, novel genetically modified mouse models, metabolomic analysis, and single cell/spatial transcriptomic analysis.

OMRF has made The Scientist magazine’s annual list of the “Best Places to Work for Postdocs” for many years. The Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Research Program is the home base for one of only 10 Autoimmune Centers of Excellence (ACE) in the U.S. Apart from the close mentorship from Dr. Zhao, the Postdoc will benefit from departmental journal clubs, seminar series, and the expertise from diverse approaches in the program and the institute. Moreover, OMRF Postdoc Training Committee and Postdoc Association will provide additional resource and advice. Our collective goal is to help make the training experience at OMRF productive and successful.

Minimum Qualifications
• Ph.D. in a biological science, chemistry, physics or other relevant area, M.D., or equivalent (or expected to receive degree soon).
• Excellent experimental and communication skills.
• Highly motivated and enthusiastic about science.
• Must be detail-oriented, organized, and able to work independently, as well as part of a team.
• Ability to communicate and write summaries of result.
• Professionalism while interacting with a diverse group of people, personalities, and cultures.

Preferred Qualifications
• Previous research experience with mouse models, immunology and/or metabolism is highly valued, but not required.
• Solid training in biological science with peer-reviewed publications.

Selected Publications
Zhao M*#, Quintana A*, Zhang C*, Andreyev AY*, Kiosses W, Kuwana T, Murphy A, Hogan PG#, Kronenberg M#. Calcium signals regulate the functional differentiation of thymic iNKT cells. EMBO J. 2021 Aug 16;40(16):e107901, PMID: 34169542 (* co-first authors, # co-corresponding authors)

Zhao M*, Svensson M*, Venken K, Sethi A, Engel I, Day JD, Elewaut D, Bottini N, Kronenberg M. Altered thymic differentiation and modulation of arthritis by invariant NKT cells expressing mutant ZAP70. Nat. Communications. 2018 Jul 6. 9:262 (* co-first author) PMCID: PMC6035278

Chandra S*, Zhao M*, Budelsky A, de Mingo Pulido A, Day J, Fu Z, Siegel L, Smith D, Kronenberg M. A new mouse strain for the analysis of invariant NKT cell function. Nat Immunology. 2015 Aug;16(8):799-800. (* co-first author) PMCID: PMC4711267

Special Instructions
Please send the CV to Meng-Zhao@omrf.org in addition to completing online application.

OMRF Overview
Founded in 1946, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is among the nation’s oldest, most respected independent, nonprofit biomedical research institutes. OMRF is dedicated to understanding and developing more effective treatments for human diseases, focusing on critical research areas such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. OMRF follows an innovative cross-disciplinary approach to medical research and ranks among the nation’s leaders in patents per scientist.

Located in Oklahoma City, a city that offers a dynamic and flourishing downtown area, with low cost of living, short commute times and a diversified economy, OMRF has been voted one of the Top Workplaces since the inception of the award. This achievement has been accomplished thanks to OMRF individuals who share a unified understanding that our excellence can only be fully realized with a collective commitment to our mission, “. . . so that more may live longer, healthier lives.” Successful candidates will demonstrate commitment to this mission.

OMRF Benefits
We offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits to full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision insurance, minimum 8% company retirement contribution, vacation and sick leave, and paid holidays. All employees have access to our onsite café, free onsite fitness center with access to personal trainer, free parking and much more! Relocation assistance available for those located 50 miles outside of Oklahoma City metro. Learn more about our benefits here.

OMRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.