Summary

A postdoc position is available at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. We are looking for a highly motivated candidate interested in questions at the intersection of telomere biology, cell differentiation and disease. The laboratory is studying the role of telomeres in aging, cancer and diseases with focus on deciphering fundamental mechanisms that underlie telomere shortening-mediated disease. These mechanisms include metabolic pathways, mitochondrial dysfunction and differentiation processes that are dysregulated when telomeres are critically short. The project is multifaceted and involves a variety of approaches and model systems including animal models (mice and rats), organoids and human tissues. This is a position for someone who is flexible and ambitious. The candidate will work under the supervision of the PI and use cutting -edge techniques and technology to address fundamental issues in biology related to telomeres, aging and disease.

Job Duties

• Works on the project alone and in a team.
• Performs animal and cell studies.
• Collects and organizes data.
• Carries out other lab-related work as needed.
• Has or acquires the theoretical and practical knowledge in the area of telomere biology, organoids and telomere-related diseases (lung fibrosis, reproductive failure) through reading and working with others.
• Plans and carries out mouse, rat and cell studies including analysis of tissues and mouse, rat and human organoids. 
• Carries out mouse studies including analyzing tissues at the RNA (single cell RNAseq, RT-qPCR), protein (IHC, western blot, proteomics) and structural (electron and scanning microscopy) level. Characterizes the role of telomeres in organ disorders (lung, intestine, reproductive organs).
• Collects and documents data for presentations and publications. 

Minimum Qualifications

• MD or Ph.D. in Basic Science, Health Science, or a related field.
• No experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• The qualifications that are required are a Ph.D. or M.D. with sufficient experience in basic science.
• The ideal candidate would be familiar or acquire the knowledge to work with telomerase knockout mouse and rat models, organoids and human cells and tissues.
• Motivated candidates without prior experience in these areas, but strong motivation to learn will be considered.
• Knowledge of common molecular techniques is required.
• A proof of excellence through publications in peer-reviewed journals is important.
• The candidate should be proficient in spoken and written English.
• The ideal candidate should be curious, self-motivated, and interested in working together with other lab members.
• Collegiality, respect, and social skills are essential for this position.
• This position will provide a supportive and highly innovative scientific environment and offer the candidate an excellent opportunity to contribute to a novel and exciting field. 
• The ideal candidate should be flexible in studying different organ systems and flexible in applying different techniques and methods. This position might require establishing new methods and techniques and therefore the ideal candiadate would be someone not afraid to start new things.