Postdoctoral Associate-Epigenetics and Nuclear Organization

Summary

The lab of Dr. Kyle Eagen at Baylor College of Medicine focuses on elucidating how DNA folds within cells and how DNA misfolding relates to human disease. Baylor College of Medicine, one of the top ranked medical schools in the country, is well known for its exceptional, innovative, and collaborative research environment. The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology has been provided substantial resources by the College towards expanding interdisciplinary research in the molecular, cellular, biochemical, and genetic bases of human disease, with the additional advantage of using multiple model systems in the process. Dr. Eagen's lab is dedicated to state-of-the-art molecular research using interdisciplinary approaches, the newest of technologies, and the education and training of the next generation of scientists and physician scientists. The lab is located in the Texas Medical Center, the largest biomedical complex in the world, immediately adjacent to Houston's vibrant Museum District and Hermann Park.

A postdoctoral associate position is available immediately in the laboratory of Dr. Kyle Eagen in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Baylor College of Medicine. S/he will be responsible for leading highly interdisciplinary projects with a focus on the molecular basis of how chromosomes are folded and compartmentalized within nuclei and the interplay between epigenetic histone modifications and higher-order chromatin structure. An example is the lab's recent discovery that regions of chromatin rich in histone acetylation spatially cluster into contact hubs to form a novel nuclear subcompartment (Molecular Cell 2020). S/he will work side-by-side with Dr. Eagen to develop cutting-edge scientific skills as the lab tackles these problems and expands into new research areas.

The ideal candidate should be highly motivated, well organized, manage time effectively, and have the ability to work independently as well as part of a team. S/he will be required to conduct experimental research, design one or more specific phases of entire projects, and publish manuscripts as a lead author.

Job Duties

• Leads research projects by designing, setting up, conducting, troubleshooting, and analyzing experiments.
• Evaluates data obtained from experiments for planning subsequent stages of projects.
• Disseminates research results by publishing high-impact publications and presenting at international conferences.
• Creatively conceive projects, critically plan, effectively conduct, and rigorously analyze specialized and advanced research experiments:
  • Biochemistry & Genomics
    • Chromosome conformation capture analysis by Hi-C and HiChIP.
    • Chromatin profiling by ChIP-seq, CUT&RUN, and CUT&Tag.
    • Nascent transcription analysis by SLAM-seq and TT-seq.
  • Molecular & Cellular Biology
    • Cell culture, transfection, and transgene expression.
    • CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing.
    • High-resolution and live-cell fluorescence microscopy.
• Publish results in high-impact journals as a lead author.
• Establish new scientific directions by searching and evaluating scientific literature.
• Maintain accurate records of research findings along with analysis of results.
• Effectively interact with team members to make important contributions on big problems while ensuring a high standard of laboratory organization.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• MD or Ph.D. in Basic Science, Health Science, or a related field.
• Experience Required: None Required.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD or MD in the biological sciences.
• Experience in molecular biology and genomics techniques, such as Hi-C, ChIP-seq, CUT&RUN, and RNA-seq.
• Experience in cell biology, such as cell culture, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, and fluorescence microscopy.
• Experience in bioinformatics and computational biology.
  

Baylor College of Medicine requires employees to be fully vaccinated -subject to approved exemptions-against vaccine-preventable diseases including, but not limited to, COVID-19 and influenza.

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.