The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is an independent, not-for-profit, biomedical research institute adjacent to the campus of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) located in Oklahoma City. OMRF investigators have internationally recognized expertise in Autoimmunity, Immunology, Genetics, Genomics, Aging, Cardiovascular Disease, and Cancer.

Our Autoimmune Disease Institute houses Centers of Excellence and specialty research clinics and cohorts for Rheumatic Diseases (focusing on lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, undifferentiated connective tissue disease, ANA+ healthy individuals and Sjogren's disease) and for Multiple Sclerosis and related diseases. In addition to following over 4,000 patients with these conditions, teams of basic and clinical investigators conduct extensive clinical, translational and mechanistic research using samples obtained from these large clinical programs. We are fortunate to hold collaborative funding as an UM1 NIAID-funded Autoimmunity Center of Excellence, two U01 Autoimmunity Prevention Centers, one NIGMS-funded S06 Native American Research Center of Health in rheumatic disease, a NIAMS-funded P30 Oklahoma Rheumatic Disease Research Cores Center and NIGMS-funded U54 Oklahoma Shared Clinical and Translational Resources. Investigators at OMRF enjoy close scientific interactions with OUHSC faculty and participate in OUHSC graduate programs. Additional information about OMRF can be found at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation web site: www.omrf.org.

OMRF’s excellence can only be fully realized by individuals who share our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Successful candidates will demonstrate commitment to these values. OMRF is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristic.

Benefits
We offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits including, medical, dental, and vision insurance, minimum 8% company retirement contribution, vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, 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 and out of state. Learn more about our benefits here.

The James/Guthridge labs (james.omrf.org; Guthridge.omrf.org) is a translational immunology laboratory focused on understanding the pathogenesis, prediction, prevention and precision treatment of immune-mediated diseases to improve patients’ lives. We have large, complex experimental datasets partnered with detailed clinical data to help better understand autoimmune disease and improve treatments.

Join our dynamic team in a well-funded research group in the Oklahoma Autoimmunity Center of Excellence. We are focused on identifying and characterizing mechanisms of autoimmune disease onset and flare, including regulatory immune mechanisms. Drs. Joel Guthridge (Guthridge.omrf.org) and Judith James (james.omrf.org) are seeking two Post-Doctoral Fellows with a strong immunology background to be part of the team working to understand mechanisms of autoimmune disease in humans by leveraging the extensive resources and data available from our well characterized clinical cohorts. The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic team with synergistic skills and experiences and will be given the opportunity to develop projects that complement the overall directions of the group. The team utilizes high throughput bimolecular assays, deep cellular phenotyping, single cell genomic, proteomic, chromatin conformation/epigenetic and computational and bioinformatics analyses through resources in our departmental Human Phenotyping and Translational Informatics Cores. We also have access to high performance computational resources both in-house and through cloud-based resources. Trainees have the opportunity to participate in large, national NIH-funded consortia.

This is a mentored position for postdoctoral training. Individuals at this level plan, design and conduct research experiments; manage research projects; prepare reports and papers for publication, presentation and future research; contribute to grant writing and are encouraged to write applications for fellowships; learn the complexities of research lab management and participate in various lab activities.

Benchmark Expectations:
- Conduct scientific research
- Manage research projects
- Present scientific information both formally and informally
- Prepare papers for publication
- Contribute to grant writing
- Perform lab responsibilities as assigned
- Work collaboratively and collegially as part of the team while developing skills needed as an independent scientist.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of the principles and practices of scientific theory and research; demonstrates skill in formulating and testing hypotheses; demonstrates ability to conduct scientific research analysis and summarize data and results; writes technical, scientific papers; writes grants and communicates effectively both orally and in writing; mentor students; provides analytic support and input to other projects in the group and guides/directs the work of less senior scientists.

Ph.D. in a biological science, chemistry, physics or other relevant area, M.D., or equivalent field and some relevant experience.

Doctorate in Immunology or closely related field.

Publication of at least 2-3 peer-reviewed publications, ideally as a first-author. Experience planning and efficiently executing mechanistic studies with human cells or systems. Great communication skills needed. Must be efficient with time and project management, with a strong organizational ability and exquisite attention to detail. Must have the ability to multi-task and work both independently and as a member of an interdisciplinary team with complementary skill sets.

Strong immunology expertise, preferably with human immunology/clinical immunology experience. Evidence of applied analysis experience of immune and genetic data is desired, in particular experience with high dimensional flow cytometry (or other forms of cytometric analyses), cellular immunology, autoimmunity and/or human immunology. Exposure to human biomedical, genetic and/or clinical research preferred. Demonstrated basic computer (UNIX, R or similar statistical package) helpful. Experience with univariate and multivariate analyses, clustering, pathway, genetic and genomic data analyses and bioinformatics is helpful.