Postdoctoral Researcher in Neurobiology

University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Neurobiology. The role focuses on epigenetic regulation of gene function related to neuropsychiatric diseases, including addiction and depression.

The Heller Lab conducts cutting-edge in vivo epigenetic editing using CRISPR/dCas9-fusion tools. The selected candidate will work within the Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics (SPATT) group and collaborate across departments.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Work on epigenetic mechanisms and gene regulation in the context of neuropsychiatric diseases.
• Collaborate on in vivo experiments and epigenetic editing approaches in the lab.
• Contribute to project design, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.

Skills

Neurobiology

Molecular biology

Chromatin biology

Bioinformatics

Education

PhD, MD or MD/PhD

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher in Neurobiology

Location

University of Pennsylvania - Perelman School of Medicine

Open Date

Aug 13, 2026

Description

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. Epigenetic mechanisms of sustained transcription across cocaine abstinence, R01DA052465-063. Sex- and hormone-dependent differences in memory vulnerability to acute traumatic stress, R01MH139931-014. Epigenetic regulation of Cdk5 in cognition and emotion, R01MH126027-04

Qualifications

• PhD, MD or MD/PhD required.
• Expertise in 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.