Postdoctoral Associate, Translational Dental Medicine, School of Dental Medicine

Postdoctoral Associate

Department of Translational Dental Medicine

Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine

Boston University Medical Campus (BUMC) Position Type

Full-time Postdoctoral Associate

Appointment duration: 2–5 years, contingent upon performance and funding availability

Position Overview

Erdogan Lab, NIH-funded research laboratory in the Department of Translational Dental Medicine at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Associate to join an interdisciplinary research program investigating how neuro-immune responses and interactions shape pain, infection, and tissue repair in barrier tissues in the oral cavity.

The lab operates at the interface of neurobiology, immunology, and microbiology, combining in vivo disease models, systems-level profiling, and translational approaches. Our goal is to define how sensory neurons respond and interact with immune and microbial signals in dental and oral tissues and to translate these insights into minimally invasive therapies and pain management strategies. Erdogan Lab is located within the Boston University Medical Campus and is highly collaborative, with active partnerships across Boston’s leading academic and medical institutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and lead independent and collaborative, hypothesis-driven research at the intersection of neuroimmunology and oral biology
• Utilize in vivo models of dental injury, infection, and inflammation, and utilize chemogenetic approaches
• Integrate molecular, cellular, and systems-level approaches (e.g. flow cytometry, imaging, transcriptomics)
• Analyze complex datasets, including transcriptomic and microbiome data
• Lead projects from experimental design through publication
• Mentor trainees and contribute to a dynamic, team-oriented lab environment

Required Qualifications

• PhD, DDS/PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in immunology, neuroscience, microbiology, oral biology, or a related discipline
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team
• A creative and rigorous scientist with a strong track record of research productivity
• Excited to tackle mechanistic, translational, cross-disciplinary questions
• Comfortable with (or eager to learn) in vivo biology and complex experimental systems

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Neuroimmunology or pain biology
• Host–microbe interactions or microbiome science
• Flow cytometry, advanced imaging, or spatial biology 
• Transcriptomics

Candidates with clinical training in dentistry (DDS/DMD) with substantial research experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

Research Environment

The Erdogan Lab is located at the Boston University Medical Campus and maintains active partnerships with neighboring academic and medical institutions in Boston. We foster a supportive, inclusive, and intellectually engaged lab culture that values curiosity, scientific rigor, and open collaboration

To Apply: 

Please send a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references to:

Alecha Pantaleon
pantaleo@bu.edu

Subject line: Postdoctoral Associate Application – Neuro-Immune Dental Research

For additional inquiries, please contact Dr. Ozge Erdogan, email: oerdogan@bu.edu

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.