Postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Immunology at the University of Manitoba
Term: 2026 start (1-year contract with extensions up to 3-years)
Job Description
The Santer lab at the University of Manitoba Department of Immunology is seeking a full-time postdoctoral fellow to study how interferon-lambda biology is regulated in the human gut and how this is altered in the inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis (UC). We are especially interested in understanding immune regulation pathways and study interferon-lambda biology in both epithelial and immune cell subsets. This work is funded by Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, CIHR and New Frontiers in Research Fund programs.
The successful candidate will lead their own project, plus assist with ongoing projects led by other laboratory members.There will be opportunities for student mentorship, conference attendance, first-author and co-author publications and gaining experience in grant writing/editing.
Qualifications
Candidates should hold a Ph.D in immunology or relevant field with a strong track record of productive research. Experience in immunology, molecular biology, and/or cell biology research is highly desirable. Experience in multi-colour flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, RNA sequencing or spatial transcriptomics and/or primary human immune cell or organoid cultures would be an asset. The candidate must have finished their Ph.D in the past 3.5 years. At this time, due to immigration cutbacks by the Canadian government and wanting the position to be filled in the next few months, preference will be given to those with Canadian citizenship or permanent residency status.
Application Instructions
Applications will be accepted any time and will be considered until the position is filled.
Applicants should submit (via email to Dr. Santer):
• a cover letter describing their interest in the position, this specific research area, and relevant experience,
• their CV, and
• the names and email addresses of three individuals who can serve as references.
Applications will not be reviewed if any of the required components above are missing.
Immunology Ph.D student, Department of Immunology at the University of Manitoba
Start date: May or September 2026
The Santer lab at the Department of Immunology will have 1 opening for an Immunology Ph.D student to start May or September 2026 to study human interferon-lambda biology and how the cytokine regulates immune responses during an infection or during chronic inflammation (e.g. ulcerative colitis). Our lab is funded by multiple programs, including NSERC, Research Manitoba, CIHR, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, CFI-JELF, GSK research funds, NFRF and Manitoba Medical Service Foundation. Graduate students are also encouraged to apply for local, provincial, and national studentships. Our Immunology-focused graduate program is only 1 of 2 in Canada with introductory, advanced and applied immunology graduate courses.
I tailor my mentorship to each student, and thus, multiple projects within the realm of interferon-lambda biology will be presented during an interview to see which funded project is of most interest to the potential student. All graduate students in my lab receive a guaranteed stipend and financial support to attend at least 1 national conference per year to present their research. Ph.D students lead their own project with the goal of publishing high-quality work, gaining experience in scientific communication, building skills that extend beyond the lab, and contributing to team efforts. We pride ourselves on an inclusive and welcoming environment that respects a diversity of opinions and ideas.
Qualifications
Candidates should have completed a MSc in a relevant field or have a track record of research experience for direct entry into our Ph.D program. Experience in immunology, molecular biology, and/or cell biology research is highly desirable. At this time, due to immigration cutbacks by the Canadian government, preference for interviews will be given to those with Canadian citizenship or permanent residency status.
Application Instructions
Applications will be reviewed as received.
Applicants should submit (via email to Dr. Santer):
• a cover letter describing their interest for joining the Santer lab and the Department of Immunology graduate program, and relevant experience,
• their CV and transcripts, and
• the names and email addresses of two individuals who can serve as references.
More information about the Ph.D program can be found here:
https://umanitoba.ca/explore/programs-of-study/immunology-phd
A full-time technician position will be posted in fall 2025 for a collaborative project with Dr. Thomas Murooka.