Position: Postdoctoral Fellow – Macrophage Biology / Immunology

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Investigator: Aikawa, Masanori

Date Posted: 2025-04-14

Description:

The Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences (CICS) at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow with a strong background in macrophage biology or immunology. Under the direction of Dr. Masanori Aikawa, the center integrates cutting-edge science with translational approaches to advance cardiovascular medicine. Our main research focus is target discovery for inflammatory vascular disease. We use a systems approach, involving innovative technologies such as multi-omics, single cell analysis, network analysis, and machine learning.

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will engage in projects exploring the role of immune mechanisms in vascular diseases, with opportunities for innovation and scientific growth in a world-class research environment.
To apply, please send a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references to:
Masanori Aikawa, MD, PhD, maikawa@bwh.harvard.edu

Requirements:

We invite applications from highly motivated individuals with:
• A PhD, MD, or equivalent degree in immunology, cell biology, or a related field
• Demonstrated expertise in macrophage biology, innate immunity, or inflammatory mechanisms
• A strong publication record and experience in experimental techniques relevant to immunology
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively and independently in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment

Research Environment:

In December 2009, we launched CICS within the Cardiovascular Division of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, in collaboration with the Japanese pharmaceutical company Kowa. This unique academia-industry partnership was designed to accelerate the discovery of new therapies by integrating the traditionally separate phases of target discovery and drug development. Typically, academic labs identify therapeutic targets but lack drug development expertise, while pharmaceutical companies begin their work only after years of academic research—resulting in a lengthy and fragmented process. To address this, we established a new paradigm of fully-integrated drug discovery research, enabling a seamless and rapid transition from target identification to clinical development. Our goal is to bring novel therapies to patients faster, and our success is reflected in numerous high-impact publications, as well as awards received by our leadership and fellows.

Position: Postdoctoral Fellowship Position

Research Area:

Mass Spectrometry, Proteomics, Post-translational Modifications, Lipoproteins, Lipid Biology, Inflammation, Cardiometabolic Diseases

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Group: Sasha Singh

Date Posted: 2024-12-13

Description:

New avenues in lipoprotein research.

Project Summary:

We have an open position in the Proteomics Group led by Dr. Sasha A. Singh. The candidate will have the opportunity to establish a completely novel concept in lipoprotein biology that can impact clinical practices. The main project entails in vitro and in vivo studies on the biogenesis, secretion, and functional characterization of previously undescribed lipoproteins subspecies, and their impact on cardiometabolic disorders.

The candidate should have a solid skillset in molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry that are the minimum requirements to achieve study goals, and a strong track record in publications. Although beneficial, mass spectrometry experience is not a prerequisite, but the candidate must have a strong drive to learn about the technology since it is integral to the project. Experience in bioinformatics, systems biology and/or machine learning is also advantageous. We also expect an individual with outstanding motivation and a firm commitment to productivity. In order to lead the project to a successful completion, the candidate is encouraged to collaborate with other exceptional scientists at the center. Dr. Singh also collaborates with several labs world-wide, therefore there will be many opportunities to increase research scope and knowledge through these collaborations.

Application: Please send your CV, an outline of your research interests to Dr Sasha A. Singh at sasingh@bwh.harvard.edu

Research Environment:

The Proteomics lab is equipped with an Orbitrap Fusion Lumos (+ETD), an Orbitrap Exploris 480 (+ FAIMS Pro), and a PreON robot to automate standard proteolysis protocols. Dr. Singh has established several innovative mass spectrometry-enabled proteomic concepts including the first soluble full-length stable isotope-labeled amino acid protein standard (FLEXIQuant); HR/AM-MS/MS for stable isotope-mediated apolipoprotein turnover in humans; and RiboMaP, a spectral annotation tool for ADP-ribosylation proteomics. The candidate will have many opportunities to develop additional innovative workflows for his/her project.

CICS was launched in collaboration with Kowa Company Ltd, a Japanese pharmaceutical company. This academia-industry collaboration develops and utilizes state-of-the-art platforms that in part rely on mass spectrometry-based strategies for drug target discovery research. We conduct interdisciplinary, team-driven research with scientists from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Kowa working together in a shared space. Our intent is to establish a diverse, active and innovative working environment. CICS occupies a fully equipped 25,000-sq.ft. space on the 17th floor of the Center for Life Sciences in the Longwood Medical Area, the heart of Boston’s medical and research community. Please visit our website at http://cics.bwh.harvard.edu for further information about our center.