Two postdoctoral positions are available in Dr. Michal Elovitz’s laboratory to investigate the host immune-microbial interactions in the reproductive tract. The grant focuses on addressing fundamental questions regarding the ability of vaginal microbes to ascend into the uterine cavity, the molecular mechanisms that govern microbial interactions with epithelial barriers in the reproductive tract and probes how microbial-immune pathways modulate the biomechanics of the cervix.
The project includes the use of our unique mouse model of preterm birth (survival surgery) and established pregnant models using microbes relevant to human reproduction. The scientific team includes expertise in reproductive biology, microbiology, infectious disease and engineering.
The laboratory is a highly collaborative one with sharing of ideas, models and experiments across fields.
The position is federally supported by two NIH-NICHD R01 grants. Our research group studies interactions between the host immune system and the cervical vaginal microbiome with the goal of revealing essential biological mechanisms that drive adverse reproductive outcomes. The Elovitz Research Program supports bench to bedside research with additional NIH R01 grants supporting translational cohorts for which human biospecimens can be utilized to inform and validate findings at the bench.
The Elovitz research laboratory encourages women and underrepresented minorities to apply.
Please forward a cover letter, an updated c.v. including a list of your publications, and the names/addresses of 3 references to elovitz@pennmedicine.upenn.edu