POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER (CARDIOVASCULAR)

RCUH Human Resources; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 59,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

RCUH Human Resources at the John A. Burns School of Medicine in Honolulu seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher (Cardiovascular) to advance cellular and molecular studies of heart development and disease under an NIH COBRE program.

The role combines wet-lab and computational work, including data analyses, manuscript preparation, and mentoring of students, with responsibilities spanning experimental design, safety, and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree (PhD, MD or equivalent) in Biomedical sciences-related field. PhD candidates may apply but must show completion upon hire.
• 1-3 years of research experience in laboratory or computational biomedical research.
• Experience in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, and small animal studies; or functional genomics, bioinformatics, NGS data analysis, and programming in R or Python.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research under supervision on cardiomyocyte development, cell cycle, stem cell biology, cardiac pathophysiology, and heart regeneration.
• Develop and perform wet-lab and computational experiments; interpret results and prepare manuscripts.
• Perform bioinformatics analyses and use cloud resources for data analysis.
• Present findings at scientific meetings and assist with training students and junior staff.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Attention to detail

Interpersonal skills

Organization

Time management

Multi-tasking

Independent work

Team collaboration

Mouse handling

Education

PhD or equivalent in biomedical sciences

Job description

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER (CARDIOVASCULAR) – ID# 226671

CLOSING DATE: November 8, 2026, or until filled. Job postings are removed from the RCUH Job Openings site once the recruitment process has ended.

INQUIRIES: Dr. Yiqiang Zhang 808-692-1480.

Regular, Full-Time, RCUH Non-Civil Service position with the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, and the Center for Cardiovascular Research (CCR), in the Zhang laboratory, located in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Continuation of employment is dependent upon program/operational needs, satisfactory work performance, availability of funds, and compliance with applicable Federal/State laws.

MONTHLY SALARY: $5,300-$5,600/Mon.

DUTIES

Conducts research under the supervision and mentorship of the Principal Investigator on cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling cardiomyocyte development and growth, cell cycle activity, stem cell biology, cardiac pathophysiology, and heart regeneration, and on systems biology and functional genomics of congenital heart disease under a newly funded NIH COBRE project and the laboratory’s related programs. Develops and conducts biomedical research, designs and performs wet-laboratory and computational experiments, interprets results, and prepares manuscripts and reports for research proposals. Performs bioinformatics and functional genomics analyses using advanced computational platforms including cloud resources. Presents research findings at scientific meetings. Prepares and maintains animal protocols and laboratory safety procedures. Assists with training and mentoring students and junior trainees. Participates in mentored career and professional development training such as research proposal writing and individual development plan.

PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Doctoral Degree (PhD, MD or equivalent) from an accredited college or university in a biomedical sciences-related field (e.g., cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, pathology, genetics, bioengineering, bioinformatics, or computational biology). (PhD candidates may apply but must submit evidence of PhD completion upon hire.)

EXPERIENCE

One to three (1-3) years of research experience, which may include graduate or doctoral research, in laboratory or computational biomedical research. Laboratory experience must include one or more of the following: cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, or pathophysiology, and small animal studies (for example, isolation and culture of cardiomyocytes, other primary cells, or cell lines; bacterial, adeno-associated virus, adenovirus, or lentivirus work; molecular cloning; protein/DNA/RNA analysis; immunohisto- and cytochemistry; flow cytometry; histology; microscopy and imaging; or cellular or integrative electrophysiology.). Computational experience must include one or more of the following: functional genomics and bioinformatics, next-generation sequencing data analysis, statistical and quantitative genomics, and programming in R or Python.

KNOWLEDGE

Working knowledge of research design and modern biomedical research methods. Advanced knowledge of cell and molecular biology of genomics, bioinformatics, and multi-omics data analysis, including applicable statistical methods. Familiarity with heart development, cardiovascular disease, or related fields.

ABILITIES & SKILLS

Excellent oral and written communication skills. Must be detail oriented. Strong interpersonal, organizational, time-management, and multi-tasking skills. Ability to work and troubleshoot both independently and collaboratively. Ability to work with laboratory mice or willingness to be trained.

Post Offer/Employment Conditions

Must be able to complete the UH Title IX training within 30 days from date of hire, and re-certify annually.

Must be able to complete the Workplace Violence Prevention training within 30 days from date of hire, and re-certify annually.

Must be able to complete the UH Laboratory Safety training within two (2) weeks from date of hire.

Must be able to complete the Environmental & Health Safety Office (EHSO) Hazardous Waste Generator training within two (2) weeks from date of hire.

Must be able to complete the Office of Research Compliance (ORC) General Biosafety training and required Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) modules within one (1) month from date of hire.

Must be able to complete the UH Information Security Awareness Training (ISAT) within two (2) weeks from date of hire, and re-certify every twelve (12) months.

PHYSICAL/MEDICAL DEMANDS

Ability to work in a laboratory animal (vivarium) environment. Must not have allergies to rodents or other allergens found in the laboratory animal environment. Must be able to lift laboratory equipment or materials up to twenty-five (25) pounds unassisted.

Post Offer/Employment Condition

Must be able to enroll in the Occupational Health and Safety program, which includes completing a health history questionnaire and obtaining medical clearance to work with animals in a vivarium.

POLICY/REGULATORY REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to all applicable RCUH policies, procedures, and trainings and, as applicable, subject to University of Hawai‘i's and/or business entity's policies, procedures, and trainings. Violation of RCUH’s, UH’s, or business entity’s policies and/or procedures or applicable State or Federal laws and/or regulations may lead to disciplinary action (including, but not limited to possible termination of employment, personal fines, civil and/or criminal penalties, etc.).

SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS

Postdoctoral or doctoral research experience on heart development, cardiovascular diseases including congenital heart disease, heart failure, or regenerative biomedicine; studies on transgenic animal models. Experience in epigenetics or proteomics (e.g., bulk, single-cell, or spatial omics). Strong combined wet-laboratory and computational skills, working knowledge of cloud computing platforms, and a strong record of research productivity are highly desirable.

RCUH’s mission is to support and enhance research, development and training in Hawai‘i, with a focus on the University of Hawai‘i.

RCUH is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, marital status, reproductive health decision, citizenship, gender identity or expression, domestic or sexual violence victim status, military/veteran status, or other grounds protected under applicable federal and state laws, except as permitted by law.