Post-Doctoral Research Fellow - Gene Editing Therapy

5110 Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

The postdoctoral fellows will join a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and clinicians at 5110 Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

They will work on gene and editing therapies for genetic hearing loss, developing new technologies and in vivo studies, with the goal of initiating clinical trials within three years. The role includes data management, publications, seminars, and collaboration with industry and regulatory bodies.

Qualifications

• PhD, MD or MD/PhD required.
• Strong background in genetic hearing loss and in vivo inner ear studies.
• Strong publication record.

Responsibilities

• Participate in data acquisition and management.
• Develop, modify, and execute analytical protocols.
• Prepare publications and scientific presentations.
• Disseminate results in peer‑reviewed journals and at meetings.
• Mentor junior staff.

Skills

Genetic hearing loss

In vivo inner ear

AAV gene therapy

Education

Ph.D./M.D./M.D.-PhD required

Job description

Job Summary

The postdoctoral fellows will function as part of a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and clinicians.

Responsibilities include participating in all aspects of data acquisition and management; developing, modifying, and executing analytical protocols; preparing publications and scientific presentations; disseminating results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and at major national and international meetings, and mentoring junior staff.

Opportunities exist for excellent scientific interactions and collaborations with an extensive program of seminars, symposia, and other meetings focused on a large array of topics in clinical research and related technology.

Qualifications

We are seeking postdoctoral fellows to work on gene and editing therapy for genetic hearing loss and advancing our findings toward clinical applications.

Our gene and editing therapies have successfully restored hearing in multiple mouse models (Gao et al., Nature, 2017; Du et al., Mol Ther, 2023; Yong et al., Nat Commun, 2023; Zhu et al., Sci Transl Med, 2024; Wei et al., JCI, 2025).

The projects include the development of new technologies (e.g. RNA editing, epigenetic modifications, shRNA) for different forms of genetic hearing loss and multiple IND-enabling studies for gene and editing therapies with the goals to initiate clinical trials in 3 years.

The work is supported by the NIH SCGE program (https://scge.mcw.edu/ind-enabling-studies-multiple-disease-platforms/).

Our laboratory employs state-of-the-art technologies, including in vitro adult cochlea explant culture, reprogramming, scRNAseq, inner ear organoids, genome editing, gene therapy, viral and non-viral delivery, and physiological function analysis.

We are collaborating with the industry, working with CROs and interacting with the FDA to bring our work towards the clinic.

We are pioneers in clinical translational applications, having conducted the first successful OTOF gene therapy trial in children born with complete hearing loss, resulting in restored hearing and speech capabilities (Lv et al., The Lancet, 2024; Wang et al., Nat Med, 2024).

Our lab is part of Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, the largest hearing research center globally, renowned for its diverse research programs in hearing science.

We offer a unique and exciting opportunity for candidates interested in advancing basic research to translational applications, including human studies.

Candidate Requirements

We seek individuals with a Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., or M.D.

For gene/editing therapy, we seek candidates with a strong background in genetic hearing loss, in vivo animal inner ear study, AAV-mediated gene therapy and editing technology.

A strong track record of scientific publications is essential.

Compensation and Working Conditions

• Salary: $71,750.00 - $73,544.00/Annual
• Remote Type: Onsite
• Work Location: 243-245 Charles Street
• Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40
• Employee Type: Regular
• Work Shift: Day (United States of America)

EEO Statement: 5110 Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.

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