The Martinelli Laboratory at the Feinberg School of Medicine is seeking an exceptional and highly motivated full-time postdoctoral research fellow to join an NIH-funded, interdisciplinary research program focused on HIV persistence and tissue immunology. Our central goal is to determine how mucosal and lymphoid tissue microenvironments—and the metabolic programs they impose on immune cells—shape viral persistence, chronic inflammation, and responses to curative interventions.

We combine mechanistic and translational research using nonhuman primate models, human clinical specimens, and advanced 3D organoid systems. Projects integrate immunology, virology, cell biology, high-dimensional cytometry, molecular assays, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, and quantitative data analysis.

Current Research Opportunities

The successful candidate will lead one of several interconnected projects:

• HIV persistence and tissue immunometabolism: Define how immune-metabolic pathways and tissue-derived signals maintain HIV/SIV reservoirs and immune dysfunction during antiretroviral therapy.
• Therapeutic strategies for durable HIV control: Test interventions designed to expose and eliminate persistent virus and enhance antiviral immunity in vivo.
• Gut organoid–immune cell interactions: Use iPSC-derived human intestinal organoids and patient-derived intestinal organoids to determine how epithelial and stromal signals regulate CD4 T-cell state, tissue residency, immune metabolism, and HIV latency.

The position provides substantial opportunity to develop an independent scientific niche and contribute intellectually to project direction.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead rigorous, hypothesis-driven research from study design through publication.
• Design and perform experiments using relevant cell-culture, organoid, immunologic, virologic, and molecular approaches.
• Participate in studies involving human specimens and nonhuman primate models, as appropriate to the project.
• Analyze and integrate complex datasets in collaboration with computational, clinical, and basic-science investigators.
• Prepare first-author manuscripts, present findings at scientific meetings, and contribute to grant applications.
• Maintain complete and reproducible research records and help mentor junior trainees.

Required Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in immunology, virology, microbiology, cell biology, biomedical engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• A strong publication record, including at least one substantive first-author peer-reviewed research article.
• Demonstrated ability to formulate hypotheses, troubleshoot independently, interpret data critically, and drive a project forward.
• Strong hands-on expertise in at least one relevant area: primary immune-cell biology, flow or spectral cytometry, immunometabolism, advanced cell culture or organoids, macaque models, or single-cell/omics technologies.
• Excellent scientific writing and oral communication skills.
• Exceptional organization, reliability, attention to detail, and commitment to research rigor and reproducibility.
• Ability to work effectively and collegially in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in HIV/SIV, mucosal immunology, immune metabolism, T-cell biology, or organoid models.
• Experience with high-dimensional cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, CRISPR-based perturbation, or quantitative image/data analysis.
• Proficiency in R, Python, or comparable analytical tools.
• Prior experience with nonhuman primate studies or human translational research.

Training Environment

The Martinelli Laboratory provides close scientific mentorship while expecting intellectual ownership, initiative, and increasing independence. The fellow will benefit from extensive collaborations across infectious diseases, immunology, organoid biology, genomics, computational biology, and clinical research at Northwestern. Mentorship will include experimental strategy, scientific writing, grant development, networking, and preparation for an independent academic or research career.

More information: www.martinellilab.org

Compensation and Benefits

Salary will follow NIH and Northwestern postdoctoral salary guidelines and will be commensurate with experience. Northwestern provides a comprehensive benefits package. Visa sponsorship may be available in accordance with institutional policies.

To Apply

Please email the following to Elena Martinelli, PhD, MPH at ElenaMartinelli@northwestern.edu:

• CV with a complete publication list.
• A tailored cover letter (maximum one page) describing your most important research contribution, the techniques you would bring to the laboratory, and your specific interest in the laboratory’s research.
• Contact information for three professional references, including your doctoral advisor.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Only applicants whose experience and research interests closely align with the position will be contacted.