Postdoctoral Research Associate in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry

AgUpdate; Rhode Island; On-site; USD 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown University’s Yajima lab in the MCB/Biochemistry department seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to lead projects on sea urchin embryology, asymmetric cell division and gene regulation. The role blends wet lab experiments with large dataset analysis and collaboration with computational biologists.

Applicants should have a PhD in biology or related field and extensive experience in embryology, live imaging and microinjection.

Qualifications

• General knowledge and skills in cell and developmental biology.
• Significant experience in embryology, live imaging, and microinjection.

Responsibilities

• Lead one or more projects in sea urchin embryology with experimental work.
• Collaborate with computational biologists for data analysis.
• Support training in manuscript and grant/fellowship applications.

Skills

Cell biology

Developmental biology

Embryology

Live imaging

Microinjection

Advanced microscopy

Time-lapse imaging

Optogenetics

4D-confocal imaging

Biophysics

Image segmentation

Systems biology

Multi-omics analyses

Education

Doctoral degree in biology or related field

Tools

Imaris

OpenFOAM

Job description

The Yajima lab in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry (MCB) at Brown University is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to lead one or more of the projects in our research group. We are the sea urchin embryology lab and study embryonic development with a focus on 1) asymmetric cell division, 2) metabolic regulation, 3) localized mRNA translation, 4) Cell geometry analysis with mathematical biology, and computational and network-level analyses.

The position is intended for wet lab work, yet many of the projects integrate large dataset analysis, which will be supported by our computational biologists in the group. Further, some projects include the knowledge of image segmentation using Imaris and applied mathematics using OpenFOAM. This position will be ideal for those interested in integrating experimental, theoretical, and computational biology into their research.

Requirement: General knowledge and skills in cell and developmental biology. Significant experience in embryology, live imaging, and microinjection is required.

Preferred skills: Advanced microscopy, including time-lapse imaging, optogenetic manipulations of a protein, and 4D-confocal imaging, is preferred. Experience or knowledge in biophysics, image segmentation, systems biology and/or multi-omics analyses is also welcomed.

Project description:

• Molecular evolution of polarity factors and asymmetric cell division: Discovering how molecular evolution of AGS, a polarity factor, alters the asymmetric cell division and developmental program during the course of echinoderm evolution (Reference article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31439829)
• Metabolic regulation during embryonic development: Identifying how metabolic regulation contributes to specific cellular signaling and gene regulations during asymmetric cell division of the sea urchin embryo (Reference article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40790037/)
• Localized mRNA translation on the spindle: Identifying how Vasa, an RNA helicase, regulates translation with spatiotemporal precision during asymmetric cell division of the sea urchin embryo (Reference article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35444184)

In addition to general research advising, the PI is committed to providing training in writing manuscripts and grant/fellowship applications to support the postdoctoral fellow's career development.

Applicants must have completed all requirements for a doctoral degree before start of the position. Salary will be based on Brown’s minimum pay scale (https://postdocs.brown.edu/current-postdocs/compensation) and is commensurate with experience.

Application review will begin immediately. The process is expected to take 6 months for the domestic candidates and 12 months for the international candidates who require a J-1 visa. Interested individuals are advised to apply a year before their intended graduation from the PhD program to minimize wait time.

For this position, Brown does not sponsor the H-1B visa classification to scholars who need immigration sponsorship in order to enter the U.S. and commence lawful employment under the terms of their appointment.

As an EEO employer, Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.