Postdoctoral Associate- Liver Disease

Summary

A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Hamed Jafar-Nejad, M.D., at the Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine. The laboratory uses cell culture, Drosophila and mouse genetics to identify and characterize genetic modifiers of human developmental disorders, in hopes of shedding light on disease pathophysiology and establishing new therapeutic targets.

The lab has reported a mouse model for a developmental disorder called Alagille syndrome (ALGS; OMIM 118450), and has identified a number of dosage-sensitive genetic modifiers of the liver phenotypes in this model, including a glycosyltransferase and several transcription factors (Thakurdas et al, Hepatology, 2016; Adams et al, Hepatology, 2020, and unpublished). Building on these observations, the Postdoctoral Fellow will take the lead in an NIH-funded project to examine the genetic and transcriptional network involved in ALGS liver abnormalities and will examine the potential utility of these modifiers for developing therapies for ALGS and other cholestatic diseases. These studies are likely to provide fundamental insights into normal biliary development and biliary repair in disease contexts.

Job Duties

• Plans, directs and conducts specialized and advanced research experiments.
• Evaluates and analyzes data.
• Establishes new research protocols and procedures.
• Summarizes research findings and publish results in research journals.
• Maintains laboratory operations.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in mouse genetics and mammalian cell culture is essential.
• Expertise in molecular biology and biochemistry is highly desired.
• The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated, recent graduate with a strong publication record.

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.

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