Postdoctoral Researcher in Chromatin Biology and Neuroscience

University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, invites applications for two Postdoctoral Researchers in Chromatin Biology and Neuroscience. Work spans epigenetic remodeling, histone/DNA modifications, and in vivo viral delivery of epigenetic tools to study gene regulation in neuropsychiatric disease.

The Heller Lab offers cutting-edge resources and a collaborative research environment in Philadelphia.

Qualifications

• PhD, MD or MD/PhD required.
• Expertise in chromatin biology, neurobiology and/or molecular biology.
• Knowledge of protein biochemistry, chromatin biology, and/or bioinformatics.
• Behavior knowledge encouraged.

Skills

Chromatin biology

Neurobiology

Molecular biology

Bioinformatics

Education

PhD, MD or MD/PhD

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher in Chromatin Biology and Neuroscience

Location: University of Pennsylvania - Perelman School of Medicine

Open Date: Aug 13, 2026

Faculty Mentor: Elizabeth A Heller, Ph.D

Department: Pharmacology (SPATT)

Funding Source: PI Grant

Number of Positions: 2

Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and foreign nationals

The Heller Lab studies the mechanisms by which epigenetic remodeling regulates gene function, in the context of neuropsychiatric diseases such as addiction and depression. To approach this problem, we directly manipulate histone and DNA modifications at specific genes in vivo, using viral delivery of novel epigenetic editing tools, such as CRISPR/dCas9-fusion proteins. The Perelman School of Medicine is a world leader in biomedical research, boasting over $800M in annual research funding and ranked third nationwide among the best medical schools in research. The Heller Lab is a member of the Penn Epigenetics Institute and Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, and is housed with the Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics (SPATT). For further information see http://www.med.upenn.edu/hellerlab/.

Current projects include:

• 1. Histone methyltransferase, Setd2, in substance use disorders, R01DA0643362.


• 2. Epigenetic mechanisms of sustained transcription across cocaine abstinence, R01DA052465-063.


• 3. Sex- and hormone-dependent differences in memory vulnerability to acute traumatic stress, R01MH139931-014.


• 4. Epigenetic regulation of Cdk5 in cognition and emotion, R01MH126027-04

Qualifications

PhD, MD or MD/PhD required. Expertise in chromatin biology, neurobiology and/or molecular biology is required. Knowledge of protein biochemistry, chromatin biology, and/or bioinformatics (including mathematics and computational biology), behavior, are encouraged.

Competitive salary > NIH minimum.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.