Postdoctoral Fellow – Respiratory & Immunology, Early Discovery Research

Postdoctoral Fellow Respiratory & Immunology Early Discovery Research

Unraveling Efferocytosis: From Inflammation Resolution to Therapeutic Potential

Location: Gaithersburg US

Department: Biopharmaceuticals

Our Postdoc Programme is for selfmotivated individuals looking to take on interesting high impact projects in a collaborative challenging and reputable environment. Do you have expertise in and passion for respiratory disease understanding Would you like to apply your knowledge to impact drug discovery projects in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into lifechanging medicines Then join the Respiratory & Immunology Group at AstraZeneca and unlock the power of what science can do.

Therapeutic Area Description:

In the Respiratory & Immunology (R&I) therapy area we are rewriting the future of patients suffering from immunedriven diseases leading the way away from mere symptom control towards disease modification remission and one day cure! By following the science we are focused on sustainably addressing tough and complex unsolved problems. Our strategy focuses on addressing the fundamental biology creating effective new drug modalities and combinations and implementing a precision medicine approach from the outset of drug discovery.

Job Summary:

The postdoctoral researcher will employ established methodologies to generate a comprehensive macrophage secretome by coculturing apoptotic cells and macrophages. Collaborating with omics groups the researcher will profile the secretome (proteome and lipidome) and transcriptome of macrophages postefferocytosis. They will work with the bioinformatics team to analyze data and identify novel activators and signaling changes in the macrophage secretome. Using established immune cell assays the postdoc will verify the effects of the secretome and identified activators on immune mechanisms signaling pathways and cell functions. Additionally they will explore the potential of engineering preresolved macrophages and test cell therapy opportunities in an invivo pilot study. These findings aim to advance therapeutic strategies for autoimmune treatments.

Embedded within a bioscience immunology team focused on drug discovery for autoimmune diseases the postdoc will benefit from a supportive environment and collaboration with AstraZeneca and academic supervisors providing a unique network of scientific and technical expertise relevant to the project.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

This project presents an exciting opportunity for a postdoctoral fellow to delve into the mechanisms of inflammation resolution through efferocytosis.

Project Overview

• Focus: Investigating mechanisms involved in resolving inflammation via efferocytosis.

• Importance: Understanding inflammation resolution is crucial to prevent tissue damage and autoimmune diseases from prolonged inflammation.

Background

Inflammation is a crucial immune response to disruptions in homeostasis aiding in healing and restoring balance. However prolonged inflammation can lead to tissue damage and autoimmune diseases.

During inflammation neutrophils and monocytes penetrate affected tissues to clear apoptotic cells and pathogens. Efferocytosis is the process of cell clearance by tissueresident phagocytes or monocytederived macrophages. It plays a critical role in resolving tissue inflammation by preventing the release of damageassociated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that activate immune responses. During efferocytosis macrophages acquire a novel proresolutive phenotype to support the resolution process. Both macrophages and apoptotic cells secrete proresolutive factors including microRNAs proteins and lipids. These factors collectively known as the secretome play a crucial role in resolution restoration of homeostasis and tissue repair.

The secretome from macrophages exhibits a uniquely robust proresolutive capacity and exceptional immunesuppressive properties compared to other secretomes. The significant immunesuppressive therapeutic efficacy of macrophage secretome was evaluated and evident in models of collageninduced rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in mice DSSinduced colitis and cancer. Aberrations in efferocytosis the generation of the proresolutive secretome and the reprogramming of macrophages to proresolutive phenotypes have been observed in autoimmune diseases such as lupus and RA.

The suppressive activity of the macrophage secretome presents a potential novel therapeutic opportunity for the treatment of human autoimmunity. So far key factors influencing the suppressive functions of the macrophage secretome have not been thoroughly examined.

Research Goals

Characterization: Identify the full spectrum of factors (proteins lipids) associated with efferocytosis and macrophage reprogramming.

Mechanistic Insights: Explore how secretome components drive inflammation resolution through signaling changes and immune cell interactions.

Therapeutic Exploration: Assess potential therapeutic approaches targeting the suppressive activity of the macrophage secretome.

Essential Qualifications / Education:

• PhD in Immunology Biochemistry Molecular Biology or related field

• A maximum of 4 years of postdoctoral experience.

• Effective implementation of standard immunology and molecular biology lab assays and in vitro cell culture to answer research questions.

• Extensive knowledge of innate immunity mechanisms and other immunology mechanisms

• Publication record of novel and impactful research

Desirable Requirements:

• Background in inflammation research (lipid mediators resolution processes) with a basic understanding of autoimmune disease biology including cell types signaling pathways lipid mediators and mechanisms.

• Experience with more complex culture models such as cell cocultures organoids and sample preparation for lipidomics proteomics and RNA sequencing.

• Previous experience with RNA sequencing proteomics and lipidomics techniques.

• Previous experience with data science/bioinformatics and the analysis of large and complex data sets.

This research position offers a postdoc the opportunity to lead an independent project focused on how resolving inflammation can enhance therapeutic strategies for autoimmune diseases at the molecular and cellular levels. The postdoc will work closely with a team of enthusiastic scientists with expertise in cell and molecular biology immunology lipidomics proteomics transcriptomics and bioinformatics.

With access to worldclass research facilities and cuttingedge technologies in AstraZeneca the postdoc will collaborate with external Academic supervisor Distinguished Professor James Pestka from Michigan State University providing a chance to expand their academic network. The project is anticipated to yield 34 publications in highimpact journals boosting the postdocs academic profile. Additionally the position offers valuable industry experience and insights into drug discovery and development.

The postdoc will be directly mentored by a Senior Scientist at AstraZeneca and will collaborate with scientists and crossfunctional teams within the department for comprehensive support. They will also work with experienced bioinformaticians to analyze omics data and collaborate closely with the invivo team to leverage the necessary in vivo capabilities for this project.

As part of the Early R&I research community the postdoc will attend lab meetings and scientific seminars and join the global AZ postdoc community. Dr. James Pestka the academic mentor from Michigan State University will facilitate collaboration offering insights into macrophage biology and autoimmunity

Length of Program guide: This opportunity is tailored for PhDqualified students aiming to undertake research within the industry potentially lasting up to three years. It is ideal for those looking to advance their careers while preserving strong connections to academia. Participants are encouraged to continue enhancing their scientific profiles through publications and conference attendance.

AZs Postdoc Programme: at AstraZeneca: is what were made of: site: Open Date: Apr 21 2025

Req Close Date: May 25 2025

To find out more go to: and anticipate a high volume of applicants so do not delay applying! Each applicant is individually assessed during our interview process which includes several stages. Please note that candidates may not be invited to participate in every stage depending on their fit and skills as evaluated at each step.

Salary for this role is based on years of experience after obtaining PhD is a minimum of US$99900 up to Max of US$107500 shortterm incentive. Some relocation supplements depend on distance and location at the employers discretion.