Position Overview and Responsibilities

Areas of focus: Immunometabolism, Tissue Inflammation, and Cancer Development

The laboratory of Dr. Meng Zhao in the Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Research Program at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scientist or Assistant Staff Scientist to join a growing and dynamic research program focused on how T cell metabolic stress reshapes immune function and drives tissue inflammation and tumor development.

Our work integrates cellular immunology, mitochondrial biology, and genetically engineered mouse models to define how immune cell–intrinsic metabolic remodeling licenses chronic inflammation and cancer progression. We are particularly interested in mechanistic pathways linking mitochondrial structure, metabolic stress signaling, interferon responses, and microbiota-dependent tumorigenesis.

We welcome candidates who are driven to ask fundamental questions and who seek rigorous training in hypothesis-driven research with translational relevance to inflammatory disease and cancer.

Scientific Environment:
The Zhao laboratory emphasizes rigorous mechanistic experimentation combined with multi-omics integration to uncover disease-driving pathways. The fellow will have access to state-of-the-art resources including:
-Spectral and high-parameter flow cytometry
-Advanced confocal and high-resolution microscopy
-Genetically engineered mouse models
-Metabolomics and mitochondrial functional assays
-Bulk and single-cell RNA-seq
-Spatial transcriptomics platforms
-Collaborative microbiome and systems biology support

Mentorship and Career Development:
This position provides:
-Close and regular mentorship from the PI
-Opportunities to develop independent research questions
-Support for fellowship applications
-Experience in manuscript preparation and grant writing
-Opportunities to mentor trainees and develop leadership skills

OMRF has repeatedly been recognized as a Best Place to Work for Postdocs by The Scientist. The Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Program houses one of only ten NIH-designated Autoimmune Centers of Excellence in the U.S., providing a highly collaborative and stimulating environment. In addition, OMRF’s Postdoctoral Training Committee and Postdoctoral Association provide structured professional development, networking opportunities, and career guidance.

Minimum Qualifications
• Ph.D. in a biological science, chemistry, physics or other relevant area, M.D., or equivalent (or expected to receive degree soon).
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills.
• Motivation to develop scientific independence.
• Excellent experimental and communication skills.
• Must be detail-oriented, organized, and able to work independently, as well as part of a team.
• Ability to communicate and write summaries of result.
• Professionalism while interacting with a diverse group of people, personalities, and cultures.

Preferred Qualifications
• Prior experience in cancer mouse models, histology and microbiota is beneficial but not required.
• Demonstrated productivity with peer-reviewed publications.

Selected Publications
Zhao M*#, Quintana A*, Zhang C*, Andreyev AY*, Kiosses W, Kuwana T, Murphy A, Hogan PG#, Kronenberg M#. Calcium signals regulate the functional differentiation of thymic iNKT cells. EMBO J. 2021 Aug 16;40(16):e107901, PMID: 34169542 (* co-first authors, # co-corresponding authors)

Zhao M*, Svensson M*, Venken K, Sethi A, Engel I, Day JD, Elewaut D, Bottini N, Kronenberg M. Altered thymic differentiation and modulation of arthritis by invariant NKT cells expressing mutant ZAP70. Nat. Communications. 2018 Jul 6. 9:262 (* co-first author) PMCID: PMC6035278

Chandra S*, Zhao M*, Budelsky A, de Mingo Pulido A, Day J, Fu Z, Siegel L, Smith D, Kronenberg M. A new mouse strain for the analysis of invariant NKT cell function. Nat Immunology. 2015 Aug;16(8):799-800. (* co-first author) PMCID: PMC4711267

Special Instructions
Please send the CV to Meng-Zhao@omrf.org in addition to completing online application.

OMRF Overview
Founded in 1946, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is among the nation’s oldest, most respected independent, nonprofit biomedical research institutes. OMRF is dedicated to understanding and developing more effective treatments for human diseases, focusing on critical research areas such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. OMRF follows an innovative cross-disciplinary approach to medical research and ranks among the nation’s leaders in patents per scientist.

Located in Oklahoma City, a city that offers a dynamic and flourishing downtown area, with low cost of living, short commute times and a diversified economy, OMRF has been voted one of the Top Workplaces since the inception of the award. This achievement has been accomplished thanks to OMRF individuals who share a unified understanding that our excellence can only be fully realized with a collective commitment to our mission, “. . . so that more may live longer, healthier lives.” Successful candidates will demonstrate commitment to this mission.

OMRF Benefits
We offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits to full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision insurance, minimum 8% company retirement contribution, vacation and sick leave, and paid holidays. All employees have access to our onsite café, free onsite fitness center with access to personal trainer, free parking and much more! Relocation assistance available for those located 50 miles outside of Oklahoma City metro. Learn more about our benefits here.

OMRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.