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The Nakamura Laboratory is recruiting a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a newly funded NIH R01 project examining how obesity-associated metabolic stress alters liver-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and their RNA cargo, and whether these vesicles reprogram macrophage inflammatory responses and worsen sepsis-related organ injury. This collaborative project spans Endocrinology and Critical Care Medicine and integrates mechanistic and translational research.

Research focus and opportunities

•    Define nutrient-sensing and RNA-regulatory pathways that confer pro-inflammatory properties on liver-derived sEVs.

•    Identify sEV RNA cargo and macrophage sensing pathways that drive inflammatory reprogramming.

•    Determine how obesity-associated sEV signaling affects systemic inflammation and organ injury during sepsis.

•    Work across mouse models, hepatocyte-macrophage systems, human iPSC-derived hepatocytes and macrophages, human biospecimens, EV profiling, and transcriptomic/bioinformatic analyses.

The ideal candidate

•    Has a recent PhD, MD, or equivalent and a strong peer-reviewed publication record.

•    Brings expertise in one or more of the following: immunology or innate immunity; inflammation or sepsis; EV/exRNA or RNA biology; metabolism; or mouse disease models.

•    Has experience with molecular and cellular biology, cell culture, flow cytometry, biochemistry, microscopy, and/or omics or computational analysis.

•    Is rigorous, independent, collaborative, and eager to develop new approaches. Applications for individual fellowships will be actively supported.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:   

• Develop the skills and knowledge (critical thinking and analysis of data, devising specific aims, long-term project planning and experimental design) to become an independent scientist
• Design, execute, and record laboratory experiments, and analyze data, which may affect decisions regarding future patient care.
• Research and improve current methods and evaluate innovative techniques. protocol and assay accuracy by conducting regular quality and reproducibility checks. Implement this knowledge in the Division/Department. Troubleshoot and correct erroneous results or problems with laboratory equipment. 
• Discuss relevant insights about experimental results with Faculty and provide useful recommendations and analysis.      
• Present research at laboratory meetings, journal clubs, seminars, and meetings. Develop skills to critically review and discuss data being presented.
• Draft, write, and edit scientific reports, papers, journal articles, abstracts, and grants.
• Progressively increasing responsibilities with mentorship of research staff and fiscal administration
• Maintain currency in field through continuing education, literature, and seminars. Be an active participant in the process through intellectual discussions with PI and other faculty, trainees and research staff. Solicit feedback on career trajectory from PI, mentoring committee and others who can provide coaching and insight.
• Attend required Cincinnati Children’s training sessions and ensure regulatory compliance with all institutional (i.e. Infection Control, ORCRA and others as applicable) policies and procedures
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 Required:

• PhD/MD or equivalent

At Cincinnati Children’s, we come to work with one goal: to make children’s health better. We believe in a holistic team approach, both in caring for patients and their families, and in advancing science and discovery. We strive to do better and find energy and inspiration in our shared purpose. If you want to be the best you can be, you can do it at Cincinnati Children’s. 

 Cincinnati Children's is: 

• Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 10  best Children's Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years 

• Consistently among the top 3 Children's Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding 

• Recognized as one of America’s Best Large Employers  (2025), America’s Best Employers for New Grads (2025) 

• One of the nation's America’s Most Innovative Companies as noted by Fortune 

• Consistently certified as great place to work 

• A Leading Disability Employer as noted by the National Organization on Disability 

• Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) 

 We Embrace Innovation—Together.  We believe in empowering our teams with the tools that help us work smarter and care better. That’s why we support the responsible use of artificial intelligence. By encouraging innovation, we’re creating space for new ideas, better outcomes, and a stronger future—for all of us.

Comprehensive job description provided upon request.

Cincinnati Children’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. EEO/Veteran/Disability