Postdoctoral Fellow in RNA Biology (the role of short ncRNAs in asthma and infectious diseases)

Postdoctoral researcher positions are available for NIH-funded research in the lab of Dr. Yohei Kirino (https://research.jefferson.edu/labs/researcher/kirino-laboratory.html) at Computational Medicine Center/Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Thomas Jefferson University. We work at the cutting edge of biomedical research focusing on short non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) with particular focuses on tRNA/rRNA-derived sncRNAs, cyclic phosphate-containing RNAs (cP-RNAs), and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). The lab is looking for Postdoc researchers with strong motivation, research track records, and writing/communication skills to join the following research projects:

[1] Biogenesis pathway of piRNAs (NIH R01-GM106047).
[2] Hormone-dependent tRNA-derived sncRNAs in breast and prostate cancers (American Cancer Society #RSG-17-059-01-RMC).
[3] Cytokine-induced tRNA-derived sncRNAs in asthma (NIH R01-HL150560).
[4] Infection-induced tRNA-derived sncRNAs (NIH R21-AI151641) and rRNA-derived sncRNAs (NIH R21-AI168975) in infection diseases.

The researchers will have a unique opportunity to work in close collaboration within Thomas Jefferson University at Computational Medicine Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, and Vickie & Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, and with other institutions including UPENN.

Applicants should send a CV, contact information of three references, and a cover letter to: Yohei.Kirino@jefferson.edu

Selected recent references:

Shigematsu, M., et al. “RNase κ promotes robust piRNA production by generating 2',3'-cyclic phosphate-containing precursors.” Nature Communications, 12 (1): 4498, 2021. [Pubmed]
Pawar, K., et al. “Infection-induced 5'-half molecules of tRNA^HisGUG activate Toll-like receptor 7.” PLoS Biology, 18 (12): e3000982, 2020. [Pubmed]
Shigematsu, M., et al. “Genome-wide identification of short 2',3'-cyclic phosphate-containing RNAs and their regulation in aging.” PLoS Genetics, 15 (11): e1008469, 2019. [Pubmed]
Honda, S., et al. “The biogenesis pathway of tRNA-derived piRNAs in Bombyx germ cells.” Nucleic Acids Research, 45: 9108-9120, 2017. [Pubmed]
Shigematsu, M., et al. “YAMAT-seq: an efficient method for high-throughput sequencing of mature tRNAs.” Nucleic Acids Research, 45: e70, 2017. [Pubmed]
Honda, S., et al. “Selective amplification and sequencing of cyclic phosphate-containing RNAs by the cP-RNA-seq method.” Nature Protocols, 11: 476-489, 2016. [Pubmed]
Honda, S., et al. “Sex hormone-dependent tRNA halves enhance cell proliferation in breast and prostate cancers.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, 112: E3816-E3825, 2015. (Featured in “In This Issue”) [Pubmed]

Contact information:

Yohei Kirino Ph.D.
Computational Medicine Center
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Thomas Jefferson University
1020 Locust Street, Jefferson Alumni Hall 222
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-503-8648
Email: Yohei.Kirino@jefferson.edu