Postdoctoral Position-University of Auckland, New Zealand
A postdoctoral fellow position is available for a creative and highly motivated scientist in the research group of Dr. Chris Hall in the Zebrafish Development and Disease Models Laboratory at the University of Auckland, to study macrophage activation during acute gouty inflammation.
Project description:
Acute gouty inflammation is the result of monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition in and around peripheral joints leading to activation of tissue-resident macrophages, neutrophil recruitment and acute joint inflammation. There is a clinical need for new anti-inflammatory treatments for gout as current therapies are non-specific and limited by potential drug toxicities, and gaps in therapeutic efficacy. The primary aim of this project is to leverage off a unique larval zebrafish model of MSU crystal-driven inflammation we have developed, to provide new insights into how macrophages are activated by MSU crystals and uncover new drugs to alleviate acute gouty inflammation.
Dr Hall’s research group has an established track record of exploiting the zebrafish model system to provide unique insights into innate immune cell function and as a drug discovery platform (see Astin et al., Methods Cell Biol 2017, Hall et al., Nature Communications 2014, Hall et al., Dis Model Mech 2014, Hall et al., Cell Metabolism 2013, Hall et al., Cell Stem Cell 2012, Hall et al., BMC Dev Biol 2007).
Position availability:
From 1st November 2017 (funded by a 3 year grant from the Health Research Council of New Zealand).
Applicant qualifications:
Candidates must have a PhD (ideally within the last 4 years) and show evidence of exceptional scientific contributions through publication in high impact journals, ideally in the fields of blood development and/or immunity. Candidates with experience in live cell imaging, standard and advanced cellular and molecular biology approaches, genetics, biochemistry, innate immunity and blood development will be viewed favourably. Although not essential, experience with the zebrafish model system and generating CRISPR mutants is desirable.
Please send an academic CV and names and contact information of 3 referees to (closing date, 31st August 2017):
Chris Hall (PhD)
Senior Lecturer in Immunology
School of Medical Sciences
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
University of Auckland
Private bag 92019
Auckland 1142
New Zealand
Email: c.hall@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: +64 9 923 2910
For more information about the Hall group visit: