NIH-supported Postdoctoral Fellowship in Gastrointestinal Epithelial Cell Biology, Barrier Pathobiology, and Mucosal Immunology
The Turner Lab at the Harvard Veritas Science Center investigates the fundamental biology of epithelial tight junctions, gut barrier regulation, and mucosal immunity in health and disease.
Our overarching goal is to understand how junction permeability, mucosal immunity, and the gut microbiome interact to maintain homeostasis or contribute to disease, and to develop therapeutics targeting these pathways.
Research
Cell Biology of Epithelial Tight Junctions – Study the mechanisms regulating junction formation, maintenance, and remodeling.
Barrier-Microbiome-Immune Interactions – Determine how junction permeability and the gut microbiome modulate mucosal immunity and contribute to disease.
Therapeutic Development – Identify and validate junction-targeted strategies to restore barrier function in disease models.
Our approach integrates in vitro cell models, in vivo animal models, and human tissues and analysis using cutting-edge imaging, molecular, and proteomic tools.
Representative Publications
Horowitz et al. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2023;20:417–432.
Graham et al. Nat Med. 2019;25:690–700.
Raju et al. J Clin Invest. 2020;130:5197–5208.
Oami et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2024;121:e2217877121.
Shashikanth et al. Nat Commun. 2022;13:3780.
Training and Career Development
Independent Project Ownership: With assistance from the PI, fellows develop projects they own and carry forward as the foundation for establishing their future laboratories.
Collaborative Writing: Manuscripts, reviews, and grant applications are prepared in collaboration with the PI to accelerate career development.
Presentation Opportunities: Fellows participate in intra-lab, local, national, and international meetings.
Academic Environment: The Harvard Medical School/Longwood Medical Area is a rich campus with seminars, workshops, and extensive collaborative opportunities across disciplines.
Lab Culture: The Turner Lab emphasizes teamwork, mentorship, learning, and collaborative problem-solving, while celebrating individual achievements.
Qualifications
Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree in a relevant discipline (cell biology, physiology, microbiology, or immunology).
Record of research productivity.
Strong motivation to advance scientific knowledge and learn new technologies.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary: $71,000–$85,000, commensurate with experience.
Full benefits and formal appointment at Harvard Medical School.
Brief description of motivation for joining the Turner Lab
Contact information for three references
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
The Turner lab embraces individuality but functions as a group to overcome obstacles and celebrate achievements. MassGeneral Brigham is an equal opportunity employer.
