Postdoctoral Associate | Bennett Lab

The Jackson Laboratory; Bar Harbor (ME); On-site; USD 66,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, ME seeks a Postdoctoral Associate in Bennett Lab to drive independent research on hematopoietic stem cell development. You will explore TGF-β/BMP signaling effects and single-cell barcoding to map HSC maturation, with opportunities for manuscript authorship and collaboration across programs.

The role emphasizes mentorship of junior staff, collaborative teamwork, and career development toward academia or industry within a prestigious biomedical research

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree in biological sciences or related discipline.
• First-author publication from graduate studies or prior postdoctoral work.
• Strong foundational training in molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, or stem cell biology.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently as well as collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, execute, and analyze an independent research project within the lab's focus areas.
• Investigate how TGF-β/BMP signaling regulates pre-HSC maturation or map transcriptional states of developmental HSC emergence using single-cell and clonal barcoding.
• Prepare manuscripts, fellowship applications, and conference presentations.
• Mentor junior lab members and contribute to a collaborative team environment.

Skills

Molecular biology

Cell biology

Developmental biology

Stem cell biology

Communication skills

Independent worker

Education

Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree

Tools

Flow cytometry

Cell sorting

Single-cell RNA-seq

ATAC-seq

Spatial genomics

Lentiviral systems

Clonal barcoding

Job description

Postdoctoral Associate Bennett Lab The Jackson Laboratory Bar Harbor, ME. The Bennett Lab is dedicated to uncovering the fundamental mechanisms that govern the developmental emergence of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and translating these insights toward improved stem cell engineering for regenerative medicine. The laboratory focuses on understanding HSC specification and maturation in embryonic development by: 1) defining how TGF-β/BMP signaling regulate the transition from pre-HSCs to transplantable HSCs, including the role of SMAD7 and related downstream effectors. 2) the identification of novel regulators to this process and defining how rare pre-hematopoietic stem cell intermediates arise from hemogenic endothelium and mature into fully functional, multi-lineage engraftable HSCs. Our long-term goal is to identify the precise molecular signals that enable robust HSC formation and use this knowledge to improve the efficiency of producing of transplantable HSCs for therapeutic purposes. The Bennett lab uses a multidisciplinary approach integrating mouse genetics, embryo models, transplantation assays, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, clonal barcoding, and single-cell genomics. The lab offers a highly collaborative environment with opportunities to work across programs at The Jackson Laboratory as well as with external collaborators in the field. Trainees will be supported in fellowship applications, publications, conference presentations, and career development toward academic or industry paths.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be able to plan, develop, execute, and analyze an independent research project within the lab’s main focus areas. Potential projects may include mechanistic studies into how TGFb/BMP signaling pathways regulates pre-HSC maturation or mapping transcriptional states of developmental HSC emergence using single-cell and clonal barcoding approaches. Additional responsibilities include preparing manuscripts, fellowship applications, and conference presentations, as well as mentoring junior lab members and contributing to a collaborative team environment.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree in biological sciences or related discipline
• Minimum of one first-author publication from graduate studies or prior postdoctoral work
• Strong foundational training in molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, or stem cell biology
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Self-motivated and able to work independently as well as collaboratively

Preferred Qualifications

• Hematopoiesis, stem cell biology, developmental biology, or vascular biology
• Mouse models, transplantation assays, or in vivo lineage tracing
• Flow cytometry, cell sorting, and primary cell culture
• Single-cell RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, spatial genomics, or related genomic technologies
• Lentiviral systems or clonal barcoding
• Computational biology, bioinformatics, or quantitative data analysis

Salary

• Year 0 - 1: $65,589
• Year 1 - 2: $67,318
• Year 2 - 3: $69,095
• Year 3 - 4: $70,521
• Year 4 - 5: $72,877
• Year 5 - 6: $75,569
• Based on years of experience as Postdoc

About JAX

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health. Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community.

EEO Statement

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.

Bar Harbor

The Jackson Laboratory's 43-acre scenic Bar Harbor campus is nestled between the Gulf of Maine and the mountains of Acadia National Park. Some of the best hiking and biking in the world (over 50 square miles of mountains, lakes, views, and dramatic coastline) is accessible from our campus. We are one mile from downtown Bar Harbor, which offers a vibrant downtown district with a plethora of restaurants, shops, museums, and galleries.

Ellsworth

The Charles E. Hewett Center in Ellsworth, Maine, is a state-of-the-art facility that serves researchers world wide. The facility represents the culmination of nine decades of unmatched experience and leadership in breeding and caring for laboratory mice. Ellsworth, Maine, is one of Maine’s fastest growing cities. With a growth rate of nearly 20%, Ellsworth is a bustling year-round community and acts as a hub for surrounding towns. It is located nearby Acadia National Park and hosts numerous special events, concerts and festivals each year. Residents have access to fabulous shopping, recreation, museums, galleries, and dining at a variety of independent restaurants.

Farmington

JAX Genomic Medicine is transforming medicine by improving patient care, lowering costs, and increasing life span and health span. JAX Genomic Medicine’s research focuses on the complex genetic causes of disease and on the development of genomic solutions tailored to each person's unique genetic makeup. JAX Genomic Medicine sits on a 17-acre site on the campus of the University of Connecticut Health Center. The 183,500-square-foot facility opened in the fall of 2014. Now, it houses over 300 biomedical researchers, technicians, and support staff in state-of-the‑art computing facilities and laboratories. In Connecticut, JAX resides in the scenic town of Farmington, in the state’s capitol region. The Hartford region, which offers some of the best public schools in the country, is made up of both bigger cities and smaller, charming historic New England towns. JAX Genomic Medicine is also geographically located within 2 hours of Boston and New York and is close to multiple transportation systems, including bus lines, highways, railroads and international airports.

Sacramento

The JAX Mice, Clinical and Research Services facility is located in Sacramento, the state capital of California. Sacramento is less than a two-hour drive from San Francisco, Napa Valley, and scenic Lake Tahoe, and a short flight to both Los Angeles and Orange County. Sacramento is the birthplace of the nation’s Farm to Fork movement, and offers excellent restaurants, gastro-pubs, wineries, theaters, and museums. Outdoor activities are plentiful: Boating, white water rafting, and riding the scenic bicycle trails are popular. Housing and other costs of living are more affordable in Sacramento and its surrounding suburbs than in most other neighboring areas in the North Bay, making Sacramento one of the hottest housing markets in the country year after year.

Augusta

JAX’s Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI) is located in Augusta, Maine, in the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care (HACCC), at Maine General Hospital. It began operations in 2016 with three overarching goals: to provide cancer genomic testing for Maine cancer patients; to develop and deliver physician education about clinical genomic cancer diagnostics; and to build a network in Maine of oncology practices conducting studies in genomic medicine.