The Shafikhani Research Lab brings together scientists with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to investigate the mechanisms underlying host–pathogen interactions, immune dysfunction, infection, and impaired wound healing.
We are committed to creating a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive research environment where trainees can develop their scientific skills, pursue creative ideas, and contribute to research with meaningful impact on human health.
We welcome motivated and curious researchers who are passionate about biomedical research and interested in developing innovative approaches to challenging problems in infection, immunity, and wound healing.
Our research environment provides opportunities to gain experience in:
Host–pathogen interactions
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection
Diabetic wound healing
Neutrophil and macrophage biology
Innate immune signaling
Inflammation and infection
Molecular and cellular biology
Animal models of infection and wound healing
Therapeutic and translational research
Opportunities
We welcome scientists interested in developing independent research expertise while working on innovative projects in infection, immunity, wound healing, and therapeutic development.
Graduate students can participate in interdisciplinary research projects and develop expertise in experimental design, molecular biology, immunology, infection models, and translational research.
Research staff play an important role in supporting laboratory research and developing expertise in experimental techniques, data analysis, and biomedical research.
Motivated undergraduate students interested in gaining hands-on research experience are encouraged to explore opportunities within the laboratory.
We believe that great science grows from collaboration, mentorship, and shared curiosity.
Lab members work together to develop experimental skills, discuss scientific questions, analyze results, troubleshoot challenges, and communicate discoveries. We encourage trainees to develop their own scientific interests while contributing to the broader goals of the laboratory.
Learn. Collaborate. Discover. Make an Impact.
Employer
UC Davis, Department of Dermatology
Location
Sacramento, California
Salary
$71,491 - $85,736, commensurate with experience
Closing date
2 Oct 2026
Discipline
Job Type
Employment - Hours
Duration
Qualification
Sector
POSITION SUMMARY
The Department of Dermatology at the University of California, Davis invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in the area of Immunology and Microbiology.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Th A postdoctoral scholar position is available immediately in the lab of Dr. Sasha Shafikhani in the Department of Dermatology at UC Davis. The successful candidate will develop independent research projects leveraging the resources, experimental outcomes and data generated from the NIH-funded program. The overall goal of this project is to assess the interplay between host tissue and bacterial pathogens (namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus) to integrate these data to direct interventions to reduce infection and enhance wound healing. Projects utilize small and large animal models of wound infections and wound healing. Outcomes are large data sets of temporally acquired wound images, wound transcriptomes & metabolomics, and immunohistochemical wound analysis, flow cytometric analysis of inflammatory cells in the wound environment, and host interactions. The fellow will have the opportunity to direct their own projects with as much or as little guidance as needed for success, with the dual goals of contributing to the knowledge generated by the program and to the mentee becoming mostly independent over time. Opportunities include the conduct cutting-edge research on the biology of wound healing, design and execution of experiments to investigate inflammation in the context of tissue repair, the ability to collaborate with a multi-institution, interdisciplinary team, and to author manuscripts and present findings at scientific conferences.
TERM OF APPOINTMENT: Minimum initial appointment will be 100% (full time) for one-year with renewal depending on performance.
TO APPLY: Qualified applicants should upload a cover letter indicating why you are interested in this position, a research statement describing your research experience and skills, curriculum vitae, and a representative publication. Documents must be submitted as PDF files. Applicants should also provide contact information for three references who will provide letters of recommendation.
QUESTIONS: Please direct questions to Dr. Shafikhani at sshafikhani@health.ucdavis.edu
QUALIFICATIONS
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Graduate degree (PhD or equivalent) in microbiology, cell, molecular or structural biology or a related field. Candidate must have experience in microbiology and animal research. Experience in transcriptomics is viewed positively. Candidate also must be able to keep a complete and detailed laboratory notebook of experimental procedures and data and to archive and document reagents and data for publications, grant proposals, and presentations. Solid organizational skills are a must. Prior experiences in animal wound models, molecular biology, inflammation, and microbiome, are a plus. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills and the ability to work well both independently and as a part of a team.