Job
Postdoctoral Fellow – Placental Cell Biology
Organization
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
Scientific focus area
Cell Biology, Stem Cell Biology, Structural Biology, Developmental Biology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
A fully funded postdoctoral position will be available on or after December 2024 in the laboratory of Dr. Carlos Guardia, Placental Cell Biology Group, NIEHS/NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA. Dr. Guardia’s laboratory focuses on the basic molecular mechanisms that control placenta development and function, with a strong focus on autophagy, intracellular trafficking, and secretory pathways of hormones and extracellular vesicles.
About the position
The successful candidate will study the molecular mechanisms of autophagy and its regulation in the placenta. We’re interested in understanding how placental cells respond to several stressors during pregnancy and how autophagy also regulates placenta and embryo development. The first topic is focused on characterizing the role of autophagy during metabolic stress such hypoxia and starvation to assure proper fetal development. The second topic aims to understand the role of several autophagy related (ATG) genes in placenta development and aging as a regulator of both cell differentiation and apoptosis. To carry out these interdisciplinary studies, we develop tools that draw from protein biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, high-throughput sequencing, proteomics, mouse models, CRISPR, and advanced microscopy. Most of our work takes advantage of mouse and human cell lines as model systems, including human term placentas we obtain from collaborators. More information can be found here: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/labs/rdbl/pi/placental-cell
Apply for this vacancy
What you'll need to apply
Please email to Dr. Guardia (use the subject: Postdoc Application - "YourLastName") a single PDF file containing: a statement of research interests (describe your motivation for pursuing postdoctoral training, why you are interested in our lab, how your background fits our research, and what type of projects you would like to work on), your CV, and names of three references with email addresses and phone numbers.
Contact name
Dr. Carlos M. Guardia
Contact email
Qualifications
We are seeking applicants who are creative individuals and have an interest in making discoveries with the potential to revolutionize an emerging area at the intersection of cell and reproductive biology. Applicants who meet the following requirements will be considered for the position:
- Ph.D. in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a closely related field, and less than 2 years of postdoctoral experience. Applicants close to finishing their PhDs in these areas will also be considered.
- Strong proficiency in cell biology (for example: autophagy, intracellular traffic, organelle biology).
- Ability to lead their own projects as well as to contribute to collaborative research efforts in the laboratory.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, including first author papers in peer reviewed journals.
Prior experience with at least one of the following techniques is required:
- Mouse handling, colony management, and dissection techniques, including downstream tissue analysis (histology, IHC, IF)
- Cell culture techniques (maintain cell lines, specially stem cell models, molecular cloning, transfection) Familiarity with techniques such as recombinant protein production and purification, proteomics, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, whole-genome KO screens, and viral vectors are favorable, but not required.
Disclaimer/Fine Print
This position is subject to a background investigation. Individuals from under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs.