Job ID

78808

Job Title

Postdoctoral Fellow - Lung Autoimmunity and Biomarkers Lab

Regular/Temporary

Temporary

Location

HSC- Central Campus

Open Date

2026/09/30

Job Type

Limited Term (>12 months)

Close Date

2026/10/29

Employee Group

Pos Doc (Union&NonUnion;)

Favorite Job

Department

Medicine

Full/Part Time

Full time

Job Code

000913

Existing Vacancy

Yes - Newly Created Position

Contract Duration

24.4 Months

Target Number of Openings

1

Hours per Week

35

Posting Details

Schedule

35 hours per week, Monday - Friday (occasional evening or weekend work may be required)

Education Level

PhD or MD/PhD

Location

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Charlton Campus

Salary

Commensurate with experience ($50,000 - $65,000 annually)

Duration

2 years, extendable

Existing Vacancy?

Yes, new position

About the Lab The Lung Autoimmunity and Biomarkers Lab at Firestone Institute of Respiratory Health, McMaster University is a diverse, fast-paced group studying mechanisms of lung autoimmunity in chronic lung diseases. We work on human-derived samples from well-characterised patients, and our trainees at Firestone Institute for respiratory Health publish first-author papers and go on to strong careers in academia, medicine and industry.

The Position

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Fellow to lead a discovery project on autoimmunity in the lung with a focus on B cells. This is a mechanistic, hypothesis-driven role, not a study coordination job.

The questions you would work on:

- Why does autoimmunity develop in the airway in the first place?
- Why does it often stay local to the lung instead of becoming systemic?
- How does it drive disease progression: remodelling, mucus plugging, exacerbations and loss of lung function?
- You would answer these using high-dimensional flow cytometry and single-cell approaches on patient samples, and translate what you find into biomarkers.

What You Would Do

- Design and run your own experiments with patient-derived samples, and create in vitro models.
- Build and run multi-parameter and spectral flow cytometry panels, including sorting.
- Analyse cytometry data using FlowSOM, UMAP and similar clustering methods.
- Run single-cell and bulk RNA-seq experiments end to end, and integrate them with clinical data.
- Do your own analysis in R, with reproducible code.
- Write first-author papers, present at meetings, and apply for your own fellowships.
- Mentor students and work with clinicians, imaging scientists and bioinformaticians.

What We Are Looking For

- PhD or MD/PhD
- Primary training in immunology,



cell or molecular biology, bioinformatics, or a related field.
- Hands-on flow cytometry (spectral) expertise, including panel design and titration.
- Experience with high-dimensional cytometry analysis (FlowSOM, UMAP or equivalent).
- Experience with single-cell and/or bulk RNA-seq.
- Working proficiency in R
- First-author publications in high-impact journal
- Able to work independently, and generously with a team.

Would be an Asset · Experience with primary human samples, especially airway specimens.

· B cell, plasma cell or autoantibody biology.

· Imaging, multiplex immunoassays, or capillary Western (Jess).

· Spatial transcriptomics, BCR repertoire analysis, or machine learning.

· Python, Git, or high-performance computing.

What We Offer

- A real mechanistic project, with the patient cohorts and samples and funding already in place.
- Access to spectral flow cytometry, cell sorting, single-cell genomics and imaging facilities.

- An international, collegial team with active collaborations.
- Mentorship towards independence: fellowships, papers, and career development.

Additional Information

- Fully in-person at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (Charlton Campus).
- Monday to Friday; occasional evening or weekend work may be required.
- No formal supervisory responsibility, but day-to-day mentoring of students is expected.

- Help with extramural grant applications

How to Apply We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Please send:

- A short cover letter: your research interests and why this question interests you.
- Your CV.
- Contact details for two referees.

Dr. Manali Mukherjee Email: [email protected] Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We thank all applicants for their interest.

Pay Transparency Statement The starting salary will not be less than $50,000.

How To Apply To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.





The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

- Human Resources Service Centre at (phone hidden) ext. 222-HR (22247), or
- Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
- School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs. Vaccination Mandate - FHS

This position is located in a host hospital or other healthcare site that has an active vaccination mandate in place. Successful applicants will need to comply with these and any other health and safety measures necessary as part of their appointment.

Interview Experience

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews.

If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to [email protected] or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.

AI Statement

McMaster and its third-party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment platform does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process.

📌 Postdoctoral Fellow - Lung Autoimmunity and Biomarkers Lab (Canada)
🏢 McMaster University
📍 Canada