Postdoctoral Associate

Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join our interdisciplinary research team investigating the genetic drivers of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This position offers an exciting opportunity to work on a cutting-edge, NIH-funded project that combines high-throughput genetic screening in C. elegans with human intestinal organoid validation to understand how genetic risk factors contribute to IBD pathogenesis. The successful candidate will contribute to a comprehensive study titled “High-throughput functional analyses of the genetic drivers of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.”

Job Duties

• Primary Research Activities:
• Designs and executes high-throughput RNAi screens of IBD risk genes in C. elegans.
• Performs phenotypic analyses including bacterial colonization assays, motility measurements, and barrier integrity assessments.
• Generates and characterizes CRISPR-edited C. elegans strains modeling human IBD risk alleles.
• Collaborates on human intestinal organoid studies including genetic modifications and functional characterizations.
• Conducts transcriptional profiling and pathway analyses to understand gene function.
• Technical Skills Development:
• Masters advanced C. elegans genetics techniques including CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing.
• Gains expertise in microbiome manipulation and high-throughput screening methods.
• Learns human organoid culture, genetic modification, and functional assays.
• Develops bioinformatics skills for analyzing genomic and transcriptomic datasets.
• Collaborative Opportunities:
• Works closely with human geneticists, gastroenterologists, and organoid biologists.
• Participates in analyses of diverse population genetic data through IBDGC collaborations.
• Contributes to translational studies bridging model organism findings to human disease.
• Designs and executes high-throughput RNAi screens of IBD risk genes in C. elegans.
• Performs phenotypic analyses including bacterial colonization assays, motility measurements, and barrier integrity assessments.
• Generates and characterizes CRISPR-edited C. elegans strains modeling human IBD risk alleles.
• Collaborates on human intestinal organoid studies including genetic modifications and functional characterizations.
• Conducts transcriptional profiling and pathway analyses to understand gene function.
• Masters advanced C. elegans genetics techniques including CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing.
• Gains expertise in microbiome manipulation and high-throughput screening methods.
• Learns human organoid culture, genetic modification, and functional assays.
• Develops bioinformatics skills for analyzing genomic and transcriptomic datasets.
• Works closely with human geneticists, gastroenterologists, and organoid biologists.
• Participates in analyses of diverse population genetic data through IBDGC collaborations.
• Contributes to translational studies bridging model organism findings to human disease.

Minimum Qualifications

• MD or Ph.D. in Basic Science, Health Science, or a related field.
• No experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Genetics, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or related field
• Strong background in at least one of the following areas:
• C. elegans genetics and molecular biology
• Human cell culture and organoid systems
• Microbiome research
• Inflammatory disease mechanisms
• Experience with molecular cloning, CRISPR/Cas9, or RNAi techniques
• Proficiency in quantitative data analysis and statistical methods
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Previous experience with C. elegans or other model organisms
• Background in gastrointestinal biology or inflammatory diseases
• Familiarity with high-throughput screening approaches
• Experience with organoid culture systems
• Knowledge of bioinformatics tools and programming (R, Python)
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications 
• C. elegans genetics and molecular biology
• Human cell culture and organoid systems
• Microbiome research
• Inflammatory disease mechanisms

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.