Job Description

Postdoctoral position: megakaryocyte / neutrophil interactions (emperipolesis)

The Nigrovic lab at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to spearhead studies exploring the immune role of megakaryocytes, including via emperipolesis, a new form of cell-in-cell interaction between megakaryocytes and neutrophils.

This work will build on our observation that megakaryocytes contribute to systemic inflammatory disease, even independent of their platelets (J Clin Invest. 2017 May 1;127(5):1714-1724; J Leuk Biol 2019 Jun;105(6):1111-1121). Using tools including 2-photon microscopy, we seek to understand how megakaryocytes function as immune cells through their surface receptors, soluble mediators, and microparticles. We seek to deepen our understanding of emperipolesis, whereby neutrophils penetrate into the megakaryocyte cytoplasm to pass surface membrane to platelets before leaving intact (eLife 2019;8:e440312019; Blood Adv. 2022 Apr 12;6(7):2081-2091). We will explore the cell biology of emperipolesis as well as its implications for the function of megakaryocytes, neutrophils, and platelets.

Applicants should have a PhD (or MD with substantial laboratory experience) related to cellular and immune biology. Specific megakaryocyte, platelet, and/or neutrophil experience, and/or 2-photon microscopy experience, is helpful but not required.

The Nigrovic lab (www.nigroviclab.net) is a 10-member basic and translational research group based in the Division of Immunology at Boston Children’s Hospital. Funding is provided by NIH R01 grants and other awards. Human samples are available. Successful applicants will have a track record of productivity that confirms their ability to work independently at a high level in a friendly, collegial, and supportive but demanding environment. Potential for partial self-funding is welcome but not essential.

Inquiries and applications (including CV, name/email address of 2-3 referees, and reprints of 2 most significant publications) should be directed to:

 

Peter A. Nigrovic, MD

Chief, Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital

Prince Turki bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine

Harvard Medical School

Peter.nigrovic@childrens.harvard.edu

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