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Pavel-Dinu Laboratory, Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies (CIIT) Seattle Children’s Research Institute (SCRI) Full-Time | Regular | Day Shift

POSITION SUMMARY

The Pavel-Dinu Laboratory at Seattle Children’s Research Institute is seeking a highly motivated and talented Postdoctoral Research Fellow to investigate how metabolic stress and inflammation alter the function of hematopoietic stem and immune cells in mouse disease models and primary human systems. Our research focuses on defining how metabolic collapse, redox imbalance, and inflammatory signaling impair stem cell function, and how targeted metabolic interventions can restore immune tolerance and regeneration in pediatric immune and metabolic diseases. The fellow will lead metabolomics-driven projects using both in vitro and in vivo LC–MS, working with primary mouse and human stem and immune cells, and will collaborate closely with metabolomics groups across Fred Hutch Cancer Center. A third research direction offers the opportunity to launch a new project exploring lipid-mediated crosstalk between hematopoietic stem cells and rare immune populations.

This position is ideal for a driven, career-focused scientist who is pursuing an academic trajectory, thrives in a fast-paced, intellectually rigorous, early-stage lab environment, and seeks to develop an independent mechanistic niche in immunometabolism and stem cell biology. The Pavel-Dinu Lab is in an exciting growth phase, and the ideal candidate will have the opportunity to advance emerging research directions while building an independent scientific niche. The position offers the opportunity for multi-year training and renewal contingent on performance, mutual interest, and funding availability.

RESEARCH PROJECTS:

The ideal candidate will advance metabolomics-driven research projects at the intersection of hematopoietic biology and immune-associated stress, using both primary human systems and in vivo mouse models. These efforts emphasize mechanistic depth, technical rigor, and conceptual independence, with flexibility to shape specific directions based on the fellow’s expertise and interests.

1. Metabolic Stress and Regulation in Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells

+ Examine how nutrient availability, redox balance, and metabolic stress influence fundamental states and functional properties of primary human hematopoietic stem cells.

+ Apply targeted and untargeted LC–MS metabolomics, stable isotope tracing, and complementary metabolic assays to interrogate bioenergetic and redox pathway dynamics under defined perturbations.

2. In Vivo Metabolomics in Mouse Models of Hematopoietic Stress

+ Use mouse models to investigate how inflammatory and environmental stressors reshape metabolic programs within the hematopoietic compartment in vivo.

+ Integrate in vivo metabolomics with functional readouts and immune microenvironment profiling to define metabolic features associated with distinct stress-adapted states.

3. Lipid and Metabolite Signaling in Immune–Stem Cell Interactions

+ Investigate metabolite- and lipid-associated signaling processes at the interface of immune and hematopoietic cell populations.

+ Apply metabolomics-based approaches to characterize metabolic and lipid signaling features across distinct cellular compartments.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

+ Work at the interface of metabolomics, stem cell biology, genome engineering, and immunology in a dynamic, early-stage research group.

+ Access state-of-the-art LC–MS, flow cytometry, single-cell platforms, and in vivo metabolomics resources through SCRI and the broader Seattle research community.

+ Collaborate with metabolomics experts across the Fred Hutch Cancer Center.

+ Receive direct PI mentorship focused on scientific independence, high-impact publications, academic career development, and competitive fellowship applications.

+ Mentor junior scientists and contribute to a collaborative, ambitious, high-performing lab culture.

+ Conduct research in a strong institutional environment with a pediatric focus and translational relevance.

+ This position is designed for candidates seeking sustained, in-depth training through multi-year mechanistic projects rather than short-term appointments.

EXPERTISE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

+ Design, optimize, and execute experiments involving LC–MS metabolomics, metabolic flux assays (in vitro and in vivo), and metabolic perturbation approaches in primary mouse and human stem and immune cells.

+ Demonstrate proficiency with mouse models, including handling, dosing/injections, harvesting, tissue processing, transplantation, and high-parameter flow cytometric sorting.

+ Integrate multi-modal datasets, combining metabolomics with functional assays, flow cytometry, and, when relevant, transcriptomic or single-cell data.

+ Formulate and rigorously test mechanistic hypotheses, driving projects from conceptualization through experimental execution, troubleshooting, interpretation, and publication.

+ Communicate scientific findings effectively through lab meetings, institutional seminars, and national/international conferences.

+ Lead the preparation of manuscripts, abstracts, and competitive fellowship applications (NIH, foundation, and scientific society mechanisms).

+ Mentor and train junior lab members, contributing to a collaborative and intellectually vibrant environment.

+ Model excellence in scientific rigor, integrity, organization, and time management, contributing positively to a respectful and high-performing research environment.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

+ Intellectually driven, with deep curiosity about metabolism, stem cell biology, and immune-mediated disease.

+ Independent and self-motivated, capable of owning projects while engaging collaboratively when appropriate.

+ Conceptually creative, with the ability to generate new ideas, propose mechanistic models, and identify innovative experimental approaches.

+ Resilient and steady, able to navigate the long arcs of complex in vivo and metabolomics experiments with maturity and professionalism.

+ Passionate about scientific discovery and committed to building an academic research career.

+ Collaborative and communicative, strengthening a positive, inclusive, and high-performing lab environment.

Required Education and Experience

Doctorate degree (PhD/DVM/MD) in metabolism, immunology, stem cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cancer biology, or a closely related field.

Experience using basic research techniques of specialty area.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Hands-on experience with LC–MS–based metabolomics, metabolic flux assays, or related mass-spectrometry workflows (in vitro and/or in vivo).

+ Experience working with mouse models, including routine handling and tissue harvests.

+ Experience with flow cytometry and/or cell sorting; transplantation experience is a strong plus.

+ Prior work in immunometabolism, stem cell biology, or inflammatory disease models.

Required Credentials

N/A.

Compensation Range

$80,172 per year

Salary Information

This compensation range was calculated based on full-time employment (2080 hours worked per calendar year). Offers are determined by multiple factors including equity, skills, experience, and expertise, and may vary within the range provided.

Disclaimer for Out of State Applicants

This compensation range is specific to Seattle, positions located outside of Seattle may be compensated differently depending on various factors **.**

Benefits Information

Seattle Children’s offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 403(b), life insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more. Additional details on our benefits can be found on our website www.seattlechildrens.org/careers/benefits .

About Us

Hope. Care. Cure. These three simple words capture what we do at Seattle Children’s – to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible. Are you ready to engage with a mission-driven organization that is life-changing to many, and touches the hearts of all? #HOPECARECURE

As one of the nation's top five pediatric research centers, Seattle Children's Research Institute is dedicated to providing hope, care, and cures to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible.

Our investigators are involved in hundreds of projects that cover every phase of research, from studying how diseases work to improving investigational therapies. They have pioneered groundbreaking cystic fibrosis treatments and cutting-edge cancer therapies that help a child's immune system defeat cancer, and made other major contributions to pediatric medicine.

Researchers work in close collaboration with one another, their colleagues at partner institutions including the University of Washington and Fred Hutch and our healthcare providers at Seattle Children's Hospital, one of U.S. News & World Report’s top children's hospitals. This collaboration is one of our key strengths, allowing our faculty to draw on a variety of disciplines and techniques as they pursue solutions to some of medicine's most complex problems.

We are committed to not only treating disease but to eliminating it. Help us achieve our vision of being a worldwide leader in pediatric research aimed to improve the health and well-being of children. If you are interested in a challenging career aimed at groundbreaking research, Seattle Children's Research Institute is the place for you.

Our Commitment

Seattle Children’s welcomes people of all experiences, backgrounds, and thoughts as this is what drives our spirit of inquiry and allows us to better connect with our patients and families. Our organization recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes based on merit without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

The people who work at Seattle Children’s are members of a community that seeks to respect and celebrate all the qualities that make each of us unique. Each of us is empowered to be ourselves.

Seattle Children’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Workplace and Affirmative Action Employer.