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 Favorite Job Department Full/Part Time Full-Time Job Code 000913 Existing Vacancy Yes - Newly Created Position Contract Duration 24.4 Months Target Number of Openings 1 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 Pay Transparency Statement The starting salary will not be less than $50,000.

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 solid 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: 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

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