Research Postdoctoral Fellow - Liao Lab

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A Brief Overview
Under the direction/guidance of a mentor (principal investigator), assumes responsibility for a specific, on-going research project. The experience will serve to extend, refine and enhance skills necessary for professional and career development, and will enable the individual to broaden his/her scientific background by acquiring new research capabilities. It is expected that this individual will conduct independent scholarly research, and will contribute directly to the overall research goals of the project and the research group.

This role will be expected to participate in project planning, recording and interpretation/evaluation of data, and communication of results. This position will also be expected to acquire technical, lab management, and manuscript/grant writing skills; and participate in seminars, lectures, poster sessions and presentations at national meetings. This role also may be required to supervise junior lab members, develop new methods and protocols for research, and assist with the development of other research projects in the lab.

About the Laboratory

The Center for Craniofacial Innovation at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute is seeking a highly motivated research fellow interested in craniofacial developmental biology, genetics, and gene therapy at the intersection of fundamental discovery and first-in-human treatments. We are specifically interested in seeking a candidate with expertise in mouse models, human cell lines and computational biology. We have a robust pipeline for studying human subjects and animal models of craniofacial conditions, working with mouse, zebrafish, and human embryonic stem cell disease models. Experiments will involve leveraging experimental models to dissect the developmental genetic basis of craniofacial malformations and innovate new diagnoses and gene-modifying treatments. Several gene therapy projects are at different stages of development, accelerating toward clinical trial readiness.

The fellow will join a collaborative group of scientists who study the basic and translational biology of craniofacial biology and gene therapy. Additionally, the fellow will join and initiate studies to develop novel diagnostics and therapies. In this instance, the fellow's work will have a direct bearing on the discovery of drugs and gene therapy approaches to mitigate malformation phenotypes and target delivery to disease-driving cells in craniofacial malformations and disease. Fueling this translational work is our national leadership of multi-site prospective clinical studies, and our CHOP Frontier Program where Dr. Liao is the lead PI.

We integrate the approaches of genetics, gene editing and experimental models and use these to explore human tissue regeneration and disease. We apply the latest technology in genetics with routine use of multi-omics, CRISPR, iPSC, single cell RNAseq, Cut&Run transcriptional analysis, cell transplants, FACS, live confocal labeling and imaging, transgenics, chemical screening, and many other experimental approaches. Our laboratories are fully integrated with the Center for Computational and Genomic Medicine which develops and implements state-of-the-art computational techniques and methods in bioinformatics: long read single cell/nuclei RNA sequencing, ChIP-X, Hi-C/3C chromosome conformation, and AI-assisted data harmonization. Our Center is also integrated with the Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, to leverage advances in base editing and vectors to change the molecular trajectory of craniofacial conditions. Our laboratory has dedicated human cell, organoid, mouse and zebrafish facilities outfitted with the latest imaging, injection and cell manipulation instruments. We will extrapolate human studies to vertebrate models, specifically with mice for their advantages in generating human disease models, and zebrafish for higher throughput gene expression and function studies. Researchers work in an open-format laboratory space that fosters interactions with other stellar researchers working in the Center, with ample opportunities to participate in scientific seminars and professional development.

Job Requirements

A strong experimental foundation in mouse genetics, gene editing, development, cell, developmental are mandatory; additional skills in computational analyses (R/Python and/or MATLAB) are desirable. Working knowledge of recombinant DNA methods, genomics and microscope are expected. Outstanding oral and written communication skills are required.

Employing Department and Institution: Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, CHOP Research Institute.

What you will do

• Conduct independent scholarly research and develop new methods and protocols
• Participate in project planning, recording and evaluation of data
• Acquire technical, lab management and grant writing skills
• Participate in seminars, lectures, poster sessions and presentation at national meetings
• Supervise junior lab members
• Assist with other research projects

Education Qualifications

• Doctorate Required

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to wear a respirator device

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SALARY RANGE:

Salary ranges are shown for full-time jobs. If you're working part-time, your pay will be adjusted accordingly.

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