The Lewin Lab is looking for highly motivated postdoctoral fellow(s) interested in understanding the role of diversity and heterogeneity in microbial communities.

Our human microbiota consists of complex communities where microbial interactions modulate bacterial behavior and influence human health. The Lewin Lab is interested in understanding the role of strain-level diversity and functional heterogeneity in microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions. We study the oral cavity, the female genital tract, and other human-associated polymicrobial sites using in vitro and mouse models of infection and using human specimens. The lab uses classic wet-lab approaches and cutting-edge computational techniques such as metatranscriptomics, comparative genomics, metagenomics, transposon sequencing (Tn-seq), and bacterial single-cell RNA-seq.

We have funding for postdocs to study how strain-level diversity and transcriptomic heterogeneity interplay with microbial interactions and community stability for the oral and vaginal microbiota. Postdocs are also encouraged to apply for independent funding to pursue these projects and projects of their own design.

The Lewin Lab is housed in the Center for Global Health and Diseases and the Department of Pathology at Case Western Reserve University and affiliated with the Case Western-Veterans Affairs Center for Antimicrobial Resistance and Epidemiology in Cleveland, Ohio. This environment offers a dynamic and collaborative research community to study the human microbiota and its role in disease. In addition, Cleveland is a vibrant and affordable city with a small town feel and big city amenities including a beautiful waterfront, world-class arts and music, a top culinary scene, extensive parks (including Cuyahoga National Park), and multiple professional sports teams.

The successful applicant will demonstrate a commitment to research, a collaborative work ethic, and strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Scientists with experience in relevant areas such as (meta)genomics, (meta)transcriptomics, single-cell RNA-seq, microbial genetics, microbiology culturing including anaerobic culturing, and/or confocal microscopy are encouraged to apply. In addition, the Lewin Lab is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable research environment. All candidates should share these core values, and candidates with diverse backgrounds and identities are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply, please email Gina with (1) a cover letter that details your research interests and why you are applying to this opportunity in particular; (2) a CV; and (3) the names and contact information for three professional references. For more information, see thelewinlab.com or reach out to Gina directly.