Job Description

Position Summary

The Herrlich Lab investigates mechanisms of interorgan crosstalk in disease, using kidney disease as a model system.

Many common diseases, such as kidney, heart or lung disease cause most of their morbidity and mortality by inducing secondary organ complications. As example, acute kidney injury (kidney failure) causes remote lung inflammation with hypoxemia, and also acute and chronic neurocognitive dysfunction and cognitive decline long after acute kidney injury is resolved. The mechanisms involved in this interorgan crosstalk are largely unknown and therapies are lacking. We hypothesize that secondary organ complications are driven by soluble factors and nervous connections that carry signals from a diseased organ to another which induce adaptive and/or maladaptive responses in the secondary organ.

Currently we are focusing on kidney-heart, kidney-lung, kidney-brain and kidney-muscle-bone crosstalk, but we are open to other ideas for investigations. Recently, we identified circulating osteopontin released only by the injured kidney as a causal agent of remote lung inflammation and respiratory failure (Khamissi Science Advances 2022, Komaru Nat Reviews Nephrology 2024) and identified a novel mechanism of how acute kidney injury causes hypoxemia (Komaru BioRvix 2024, JCI in revision). In soon to be published work we identified the first critical kidney-released mediator that drives neuroinflammation in a specific part of the brain after acute kidney injury with associated acute and chronic neurocognitive dysfunction. In just funded work, we will also examine kidney-lung and kidney-brain crosstalk in human AKI patients with PET/CT scans and functional MRI.

Specific postdoctoral projects can be discussed and defined in collaboration with Dr. Herrlich.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Information on being a postdoc at Washington University in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/.

Working Conditions

This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

Salary Range

Base pay is commensurate with experience.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.

Certifications:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Washington University seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

No additional education beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Certifications:

No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Skills:

Not Applicable

Questions

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Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO/AA Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement

Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.