Position Summary

Functional Genomics in Neuroscience

The Dougherty lab is seeking recent or upcoming PhD graduates to lead research in functional genomics in the nervous system. We have a variety of ongoing projects that leverage high throughput reporter assays (e.g., Massively Parallel Reporter Assays) to understand gene regulation in the living brain. We apply these approaches to understand the consequences of human genetic mutations, especially in non-coding and RNA regulatory regions (e.g., PMID: 41344325), to understand the basic gene regulation of autism risk genes like MYT1L (e.g., PMID: 39604385, 38906150), and how genetic variation interacts with physiological traits like sex interact with genetic risk (e.g., PMID: 36803612, 35868305). We are one of the leading labs in implementing such assays in vivo and have a strong training tradition of enabling our scientists to launch their own independent careers.

Our productive lab is embedded in a strong environment of innovation in new genomics assays, single cell approaches, and mouse modeling of developmental disorders. Strong applicants should have a recent PhD in a relevant field (e.g., Genetics, Genomics, Neuroscience, RNA biology, Cell Biology) and 1-2 representative publications. Experience with mice, human genetics, genomics, molecular biology, AAV/surgery, bioinformatics are a plus, but we also are willing to train for those candidates with experience in only one of these areas.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Information on being a postdoc at WashU in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/.

Trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor including (but not limited to):

• Assists with grant preparation and reporting.
• Prepares and submits papers on research.
• Assists in the design of research experiments.
• Evaluates research findings and assists in the reporting of the results.
• Conscientious discharge of their research responsibilities.
• Maintains conformity with ethical standards in research.
• Maintains compliance with good laboratory practice including the maintenance of adequate research records.
• Engages in open and timely discussion with their mentor regarding possession or distribution of material, reagents, or records belonging to their laboratory and any proposed disclosure of findings or techniques privately or in publications.
• Collegial conduct towards co-trainees, staff members and members of the research group.
• Adherence to all applicable University policies, procedures and regulations. All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated in University laboratories remain the property of the University.

Working Conditions:

This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

Salary Range:

Base pay is commensurate with experience.

Applicant Special Instructions:

Interested candidates should send a CV, cover letter, and contact information for three references to Joseph Dougherty at jdougherty@wustl.edu.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in Genetics, Genomics, Neuroscience, RNA biology, or Cell Biology.

Skills:

Collaboration, Data Analysis, Data Interpretations, Experimentation, Laboratory Techniques, Researching, Results Reporting, Scientific Thinking, Scientific Writing