Assistant Professor (non tenure)

We are excited to invite applications for a non-tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the Laboratory of Immunity and Tissue Regeneration at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (www.Naiklab.com).

This is a unique opportunity to join a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment at one of the world’s leading academic medical centers, located in the heart of New York City. Mount Sinai is a premier hospital system and research hub, offering unparalleled access to diverse patient populations, cutting-edge clinical programs, and world-class scientific resources.

We are seeking an exceptional early-career scientist with expertise in molecular biology (cloning, CRISPR, epigenetics) and in vivo models who is eager to push the boundaries of discovery. The position offers the chance to explore the molecular drivers of tissue repair, chronic inflammation, inflammatory memory, and their impact on disease relapse and tissue dysfunction.

The successful candidate will have the independence to lead high-impact projects with both fundamental and translational dimensions, while benefiting from extensive collaborations across Mount Sinai and with external partners in academia, biotechnology, and the pharmaceutical industry. This role provides an outstanding platform for scientific creativity, career development, and meaningful contributions to advances in human health.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead cutting-edge research: Design, plan, and execute molecular, in vitro, and in vivo experiments to uncover mechanisms of inflammatory memory, epigenetic regulation, and tissue adaptation in chronic inflammation, with a focus on skin and other barrier tissues.
• Innovate at the bench: Develop and refine molecular and genomic tools, including cloning strategies, chromatin and epigenetic assays (e.g., chromatin accessibility, histone modifications, enhancer/promoter regulation), single-cell epigenetics, and spatial transcriptomics, to dissect regulatory networks.
• Drive funding success: Lead or co-lead grant proposals (NIH, foundations, etc.), manage reporting and progress updates, and contribute to long-term resource planning.
• Manage operations: Oversee day-to-day laboratory activities alongside the laboratory manager, supervise technical staff, coordinate with Icahn core facilities, and ensure compliance with IRB, IACUC, and other institutional guidelines.
• Mentor and inspire: Train junior scientists, postdocs, and collaborators in molecular and in vivo techniques, data interpretation, and rigorous experimental design.
• Build collaborations: Coordinate interdisciplinary studies with internal and external partners, including clinical teams, computational/omics cores, and laboratories focused on inflammation and regenerative biology.
• Advance knowledge: Publish high-impact manuscripts, present at national and international conferences, and help elevate the program’s scientific profile.

Qualifications

• PhD, MD, or equivalent in Molecular Biology, Immunology, Epigenetics, or a related field
• Minimum of 4 years of postdoctoral research experience with demonstrated expertise in molecular biology (cloning, genome editing, epigenetics) and in vivo biology (murine models, human tissue)
• Proven ability to design and execute complex experiments, including epigenetic profiling, chromatin/imaging assays, and in vivo functional studies
• Strong publication record in relevant fields
• Demonstrated ability (or clear potential) to secure independent funding
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Commitment to collaboration within a dynamic, multidisciplinary research environment

Please email your complete application package as one PDF (cover letter, NIH-style biosketch, and three references) to Shruti.Naik@mssm.edu