Postdoctoral Researcher

Position Information

• Fiscal Year: 2026-2027
• Position Title: Postdoctoral Researcher
• Classification Title: Postdoctoral Associate
• Department: Microbiology and Immunology
• Posting Number: R260177
• Employer: Research Foundation
• Position Type: RF Professional
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Salary Grade: E.89

Position Summary

The Holmes Lab is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join our lab to carry out research projects related to innate immunity and pathogenesis in arthritogenic alphavirus infections. Our research focuses on defining the tissue tropism of emerging arthritogenic alphaviruses and determining how cells that are permissive to infection influence virus dissemination and disease progression.

Our most recent published work demonstrated that, in contrast to established paradigms, there are two phases of alphavirus transport through the lymphatics at early times of infection, one that precedes viral replication, and a second that requires replication in the skin which enables transit to the bloodstream (Holmes AC et al., doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113876). We found that skin-infiltrating Ly6Chi monocytes promote infection of several non-hematopoietic cell types in the skin. Unexpectedly, in contrast to the skin, lymph node-associated monocytes are refractory to virus infection. Our work highlighted that there is an underappreciated role for cell-free, fluid-phase lymphatic trafficking during early alphavirus dissemination and that there may be tissue-specific signals that govern monocyte permissiveness to alphavirus infection. Our aim is to identify and define the mechanisms that drive monocyte heterogeneity in arthritogenic alphavirus infections.

In a forthcoming manuscript (Holmes AC et al., submitted, PLoS Pathogens), we have identified a subset of platelet-derived growth factor alpha-positive (PDGFRα+) skeletal muscle mesenchymal cells that are infected via the major arthritogenic alphavirus entry receptor, matrix remodeling-associated protein 8 (MXRA8). Infection of this PDGFRα+ cell subset increases local vascular permeability to mediate virus spread directly to the bloodstream in a manner that is dependent on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling. Our aim is to define the molecular events that underlie the VEGF signaling cascade during arthritogenic alphavirus infections and determine how virus disseminates across the vasculature.

Duties will include:

• The candidate will be trained on and perform in vitro and in vivo experiments related to arthritogenic alphavirus infections
• The candidate will carry out qRT-PCR on mouse tissues
• The candidate will carry out flow cytometry
• The candidate will carry out microscopy and imaging of mouse tissues
• The candidate will generate and maintain primary cell lines from mice and commercially available cell lines and carry out arthritogenic alphavirus infections in both primary cells and cell lines
• The candidate will develop projects involving methods such as single-cell and spatial RNAseq
• The candidate will prepare manuscripts for publication
• The candidate will be required to work at both BSL-2 and BSL-3 and will receive the appropriate institutional safety training

We are a new lab supported by funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) and are looking to grow! The lab is committed to the success of all members and provides mentorship and opportunities for research and career development. We are located at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in downtown Buffalo, NY.

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About The University at Buffalo

The University at Buffalo (UB) #ubuffalo is one of America’s leading public research universities and a flagship of the State University of New York system, recognized for our excellence and our impact. UB is a premier, research-intensive public university dedicated to academic excellence. Our research, creative activity and people positively impact the world. Like the city we call home, UB is distinguished by a culture of resilient optimism, resourceful thinking and pragmatic dreaming that enables us to reach others every day. Visit our website to learn more about the University at Buffalo.

The Research Foundation of SUNY is an EOE and welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with a disability.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Virology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a related field
• Expertise in some of the following areas: in vivo pathogenesis, flow cytometry, molecular virology, qPCR, confocal fluorescence microscopy, histology
• Highly motivated
• Possesses ability to work independently and collaboratively within a small team
• Time management and organizational skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Mentorship experiences in the lab

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in single-cell and/or spatial RNAseq and bioinformatics (not required but preferred)
• Expertise in live-animal imaging (not required but preferred)

Driving Requirements

This position will never drive a university owned vehicle.

Salary Range

$60,000 - $64,000

Additional Salary Information

The salary range reflects our good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation at the time of posting, the role and associated responsibilities, and the experience, education, and training of the selected candidate.

Work Hours

40

Campus

Downtown Campus

Is a background check required for this posting?

No

Contact Information

• Contact's Name: Autumn Holmes
• Contact's Title: Assistant Professor
• Contact's Email: holmes8@buffalo.edu
• Contact's Phone: 716-829-3307

Posting Dates

• Posted: 10/26/2026
• Deadline for applicants: Open Until Filled
• Date to be filled: 12/21/2026