Postdoctoral Research Associate - Genetics

Position Summary

The Ushiki Lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of cis-regulatory function and how noncoding genetic variation alters gene regulation in human disease. Our work integrates functional genomics, human genetics, and in vivo experimental systems to understand enhancer function across regulatory and phenotypic scales. We develop and apply both experimental and computational approaches, including in vivo Massively Parallel Reporter Assays (MPRAs), to define the sequence basis and functional consequences of enhancer activity and to expand MPRA-based approaches to other aspects of transcriptional regulation. Ongoing work in the lab is supported by an NHGRI K99/R00 award and the Preeclampsia Foundation’s Peter Joseph Pappas Research Grant.

We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow whose research interests align with enhancer biology and either transcriptional regulation or enhancer lineage tracing. Areas of particular interest include transcriptional elongation, termination, and RNA processing/splicing, as well as the development of enhancer activity lineage-tracing approaches in stem cell and/or mouse models. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in transcriptional mechanisms, functional genomics, or computational genomics. Strong preference will be given to applicants who have experience analyzing large-scale sequencing datasets, especially MPRA, population genetics, or related regulatory genomics data. Candidates with a background in core transcriptional machinery or in developing functional approaches to study enhancer activity in vivo are especially encouraged to apply.

Our laboratory is part of the departments of Genetics at WashU – an institution at the forefront of genetics/genomics research, embedded in the vibrant and livable city of St. Louis. Our institution is characterized by phenomenal research support facilities in a variety of domains and a hard-working yet friendly and collaborative scientific culture.

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/.

Lab website: https://sites.wustl.edu/ushikilab/.

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:

Please send all application materials as a single PDF file to akiu@wustl.edu or submit them through the system.

• A cover letter describing your research interests and experience.
• A brief statement describing what you would like to study in the Ushiki Lab.
• A statement of your long-term career goals.
• Your CV.
• Contact information for three references.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Recent PhD and/or MD in a relevant field, or equivalent research experience, with a background in molecular biology, transcriptional regulation, functional genomics, computational biology, genetics, or related disciplines.
• Expertise in computational genomics, functional genomics, transcriptional regulation, or the analysis of large-scale sequencing datasets, particularly MPRA or population genetics data.
• Experience in the molecular mechanisms of transcription, including elongation, termination, and splicing, is strongly preferred.