Post-doc Position Available – Molecular Mechanisms of Gene Regulation

Position Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate_Calabrese Lab
Vacancy ID: PDS001253
Department: Pharmacology – 424001
Position Type: Postdoctoral Scholar
Full-time/Part-time: Full Time
FTE: 1.0
Estimated Duration of Appointment: 12 Months
Posting Open Date: 03/02/2016
Open Until Filled: Yes
Work Location: Chapel Hill, NC

Position Summary

The Calabrese laboratory is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to study molecular mechanisms of gene regulation induced by long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs).

Project Details

Over 70% of the mammalian genome is transcribed and about half of the RNA species produced are classified as lncRNAs that have little or no potential to encode for protein. An emerging subset of lncRNAs play central roles in physiology and disease, yet their mechanisms of action remain poorly defined. Among this group are several lncRNAs, such as Xist, Kcnq1ot1,and Airn, that function to repress expression of genetically linked (i.e. adjacent) protein-coding genes. Misregulation of genes targeted for silencing by repressive lncRNAs can cause developmental lethality and a number of genetic disorders, including Rett, Klinefelter¹s, Triple X, Beckwith-Wiedemann, Silver-Russell, and Angleman¹s syndromes, which affect millions of individuals world-wide and are often untreatable beyond palliative measures. Broadly, we expect mechanistic insights gained from our work to provide the conceptual basis needed to develop strategies to correct pathological gene expression in the disorders listed above.

Educational Requirements

Ph.D. in related field

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, computational biology, or a related field, a proven track record of research productivity, and enjoy participating interdisciplinary team science.Experience in quantitative microscopy, genomics, computational biology, and/or RNA biochemistry is also expected.

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