POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER (CARDIOVASCULAR) – ID# 226671

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

Job summary

RCUH is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher (Cardiovascular) in Honolulu to advance heart development, disease, and regeneration research under PI mentorship in the Zhang laboratory at JABSOM CCR.

The role combines wet-lab and computational work with data analysis, manuscript writing, and training of students; UH safety trainings are required. Monthly salary range listed below.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of research experience in biomedical research (lab or computational).
• Experience with cell/molecular biology, biochemistry, or pathophysiology, and small animal studies; or computational genomics and bioinformatics.

Responsibilities

• Conducts research under supervision on cardiomyocyte development and related areas.
• Designs and performs wet-lab and computational experiments.
• Interprets results and prepares manuscripts and reports.
• Performs bioinformatics analyses using cloud resources.
• Presents findings at scientific meetings.
• Prepares animal protocols and lab safety procedures.
• Mentors students and junior trainees.

Skills

Communication skills

Detail oriented

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Team collaboration

Mice handling

Education

Doctoral Degree (PhD, MD or equivalent)

Tools

R

Python

Cloud computing

Bioinformatics

Next-gen sequencing

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.