Postdoc: Genome Stability & BLM Helicase Biology

Biopractify; Florida; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University of South Florida (USF) seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher in Genome Instability & Chromosome Biology in the Schmidt Laboratory. The role focuses on Bloom syndrome, BLM helicase, and genome maintenance using human cell-based models.

The successful candidate will develop an independent project, learn proteomics and single-molecule approaches, and contribute to publications in a NIH-funded program.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field as listed in the requirements.
• Strong interest in DNA replication, DNA repair, chromosome biology, or genome instability.
• Experience with molecular biology, cell biology, or next-generation sequencing techniques.
• Strong scientific communication skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Investigate molecular mechanisms of chromosome instability and genome maintenance.
• Study BLM helicase function, regulation, and interactions with partner proteins.
• Examine DNA replication stress and replication fork stability.
• Investigate DNA repair and homologous recombination pathways.
• Explore roles of R-loops and G-quadruplexes in genome maintenance.
• Identify Bloom syndrome-specific vulnerabilities and potential therapeutic targets.
• Develop independent research project within the lab framework.
• Publish results and contribute to scientific dissemination.
• Collaborate with researchers while maintaining independent work.
• Utilize human cell-based models of Bloom syndrome in studies.

Skills

Molecular biology

Cell biology

Genetics

Biochemistry

Cancer biology

DNA replication

DNA repair

Genome instability

Next-generation sequencing

Scientific communication

Independent work

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology/ Genetics/ Biochemistry / Cancer Biology

Job description

🧬 Postdoctoral Position in Genome Instability & Chromosome Biology | University of South Florida

Institution: University of South Florida (USF)

Department: Department of Molecular Biosciences

Laboratory: Schmidt Laboratory – Chromosome Instability Group

🔬 Research Area: Genome Stability | Chromosome Instability | Bloom Syndrome | DNA Replication | DNA Repair | Cancer Biology | Molecular & Cell Biology

The Schmidt Laboratory (Chromosome Instability Group) in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at the University of South Florida (USF) is seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join an NIH-funded research program investigating the molecular mechanisms that maintain genome stability.

The research focuses on Bloom syndrome, a rare chromosome instability disorder characterized by exceptionally high cancer susceptibility. The project aims to understand how the BLM helicase and its interacting proteins protect the genome during DNA replication and repair, how loss of BLM causes chromosome instability, and how Bloom syndrome-specific cellular vulnerabilities may be exploited for potential therapeutic approaches.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop an independent research project within this broad research framework.

🔬 What You’ll Work On

Investigate the molecular mechanisms responsible for chromosome instability and understand how defects in genome maintenance pathways contribute to disease.

Study the function and regulation of the BLM helicase, an important component of genome maintenance, and its interactions with other proteins.

Investigate DNA replication stress, replication fork stability, and mechanisms that protect the genome during DNA replication.

🔬 DNA Repair & Homologous Recombination

Study mechanisms involved in DNA repair and homologous recombination, particularly in the context of Bloom syndrome.

Explore the roles of R-loops and G-quadruplex structures in genome instability and DNA replication.

🎯 Therapeutic Vulnerabilities

Identify Bloom syndrome-specific cellular vulnerabilities and potential therapeutic targets that could provide new approaches to treating genome instability-associated disease.

The selected Postdoctoral Researcher will be expected to:

• Study BLM helicase function, regulation, and interacting proteins.
• Examine DNA replication stress and replication fork stability.
• Investigate DNA repair and homologous recombination pathways.
• Study the role of R-loops and G-quadruplexes in genome maintenance.
• Analyze protein-protein interactions involved in genome stability pathways.
• Work with human cell-based models of Bloom syndrome.
• Develop and pursue an independent research project within the laboratory’s research framework.
• Apply molecular and cell biological approaches to understand chromosome instability.
• Develop expertise in next-generation sequencing, proteomics, and single-molecule approaches.
• Identify potential cellular vulnerabilities and therapeutic targets.
• Contribute to scientific publications and research dissemination.
• Collaborate effectively with other researchers while maintaining independent research activities.

The research program investigates how cells protect their genomes from instability, with a particular focus on Bloom syndrome and the BLM helicase.

Key research areas include:

• Chromosome Instability
• Genome Stability
• DNA Replication
• Replication Fork Stability
• Homologous Recombination
• R-Loops
• G-Quadruplexes
• Genome Maintenance
• Cancer Biology
• Therapeutic Target Identification
• Proteomics
• Single-Molecule Biology

The overall goal is to understand how defects in genome maintenance pathways produce chromosome instability and cancer susceptibility, while identifying potential therapeutic opportunities.

Applicants should have:

• A PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, or a related field.
• A strong interest in DNA replication, DNA repair, chromosome biology, or genome instability.
• Experience with molecular biology, cell biology, or next-generation sequencing techniques.
• A demonstrated record of productive research.
• Strong scientific communication skills.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Motivation to investigate fundamental mechanisms of genome stability and disease.

Relevant experience may include:

• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology
• Genetics
• Cancer Biology
• DNA Replication
• Homologous Recombination
• Genome Instability
• Chromosome Biology
• Proteomics
• Replication Fork Analysis
• Human Cell-Based Models

Candidates with research experience related to genome maintenance, DNA damage, chromosome instability, or cancer biology would be particularly well suited to the position.

🌟 What You’ll Gain

• Opportunity to work on an NIH-funded research program.
• Advanced research experience in genome stability and chromosome biology.
• In-depth understanding of Bloom syndrome and BLM helicase biology.
• Experience using human cell-based disease models.
• Training in next-generation sequencing and proteomics.
• Exposure to single-molecule research approaches.
• Opportunity to investigate DNA replication, DNA repair, and genome maintenance mechanisms.
• Opportunity to develop an independent research project.
• Experience identifying potential therapeutic vulnerabilities and targets.
• Opportunity to contribute to publications and collaborative research.
• Experience working within an interdisciplinary research environment at USF.

The position is based in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at the University of South Florida (USF) within the Schmidt Laboratory / Chromosome Instability Group.

The laboratory’s research combines molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, and quantitative approaches to understand DNA replication and genome stability.

Researchers will work with human cell-based models of Bloom syndrome while developing expertise in advanced approaches including:

• Proteomics
• Single-Molecule Approaches
• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology
• Genome Stability Analysis

The laboratory provides an opportunity to pursue both collaborative and independent research focused on fundamental mechanisms of genome maintenance and disease.

Position: Postdoctoral Researcher

Funding: NIH-Funded

Institution: University of South Florida (USF)

Laboratory: Schmidt Laboratory – Chromosome Instability Group

Location: Florida, USA

Research Focus: Genome Instability & Chromosome Biology

Major Research Theme: Bloom Syndrome and BLM Helicase

Research Areas: DNA Replication | DNA Repair | Homologous Recombination | Chromosome Instability | Cancer Biology

Advanced Techniques: Next-Generation Sequencing | Proteomics | Single-Molecule Approaches

Position Salary: Not stated in the announcement

📄 How to Apply

Interested candidates should send inquiries directly to:

Dr. Kristina Schmidt

Laboratory: Schmidt Laboratory – Chromosome Instability Group

Institution: University of South Florida

Candidates should highlight their relevant research experience and interest in DNA replication, DNA repair, chromosome biology, genome instability, or related areas.

Application Status: Open

Application Deadline: Not stated in the announcement

Expected Start Date: Not stated in the announcement

Position Funding: NIH-funded

Location: Florida, USA

Application Recommendation: Interested candidates are encouraged to contact the PI directly.

Institution: University of South Florida (USF)

Department: Department of Molecular Biosciences

Laboratory: Schmidt Laboratory – Chromosome Instability Group

Position: Postdoctoral Researcher

Location: Florida, USA

Funding: NIH-funded

Research Area: Genome Stability & Chromosome Biology

Major Research Theme: Bloom Syndrome

Key Topics: BLM Helicase | DNA Replication | DNA Repair | Homologous Recombination | Replication Stress | R-Loops | G-Quadruplexes | Chromosome Instability

Techniques: Molecular Biology | Cell Biology | Next-Generation Sequencing | Proteomics | Single-Molecule Approaches

Required Qualification: PhD

Relevant Fields: Molecular Biology | Cell Biology | Genetics | Biochemistry | Cancer Biology | Related Fields

Salary: Not stated

Start Date: Not stated

Application Deadline: Not stated

Application Mode: Email Inquiry

Application Contact: Dr. Kristina Schmidt

Subject Line: Postdoctoral Position – Genome Instability

Category

Postdoctoral Position | Postdoc | Genome Instability | Chromosome Biology | Bloom Syndrome | BLM Helicase | DNA Replication | Cell Biology | Genetics | University of South Florida | NIH Research | USA

#Postdoc #PostdoctoralPosition #GenomeInstability #ChromosomeBiology #BloomSyndrome #BLMHelicase #DNAReplication #DNARepair #HomologousRecombination

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