Postdoctoral Research Associate Functional Genomics of circular RNAs in Alzheimer’s Disease

The goal of the NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center is to form a multidisciplinary team working at the forefront of personalized medicine that will transform the field of human neurogenomics by going beyond the analysis of genomic DNA to explore other omics layers. We use epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics for molecular phenotyping of human samples, which we believe is instrumental to understand the biology of complex traits and develop precision medicine strategies.

The NGI Center focuses on deep molecular characterization of neurodegeneration and diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), with an emphasis on Alzheimer disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and stroke. To achieve the goals of the Center we plan to address the following objectives:

• increase the understanding of the etiology of neurodegeneration and psychiatric diseases by identifying novel genes and pathways implicated in disease,
• enable early diagnosis by identifying novel molecular biomarkers,
• reveal novel intermediate traits involved in neurodegeneration and psychiatric diseases,
• provide strategies to optimize cohort selection for testing therapeutic targets, and
• identify and validate disease-modifying treatments and drugs for neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases

The Center expects to accomplish these objectives through the use of large phenotypic and multi-omic datasets of human neurodegenerative diseases.

The NeuroGenomics and Informatics (NGI) Center (https://neurogenomics.wustl.edu/) at Washington University School of Medicine, seeks to appoint two faculty positions with interdisciplinary research interests and approaches that focus on improving our understanding of Alzheimer Disease and related dementias. Anticipated start date is summer-fall 2024.

The NGI is looking for outstanding candidates with interest in generating and/or leveraging multi-omic data to understand the biology of neurodegeneration vs healthy aging. Competitive faculty should have experience in neurobiology, human genomics, data integration and/or computational biology; selected faculty should address these questions using state of the art techniques in cellular, molecular biology and functional genomics (iPSC, organoids, CRISPR), multi-omic data (spatial transcriptomics, single cell omics, long read sequencing) and statistical learning (supervised vs unsupervised ) using excellent computer language, cloud computing resources and containerization.

Both junior-level and established scientists are encouraged to apply. The NGI highly encourages applications from women and underrepresented groups, and we are thoroughly committed to providing the necessary resources and support for advancing career goals. Once identified by the NGI, the successful candidate(s) will join a suitable academic home department (Neurology, Genetics, Psychiatry) as a faculty member based on the candidate’s area of research specialization. The expected appointments are track faculty positions at the Assistant, Associate or Full Professor level (assignment commensurate with background, experience, and work history). Start-up packages and salary are competitive and commensurate with experience.

The NGI is associated with several highly ranked graduate programs. The successful candidate will be eligible for membership in the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, which holds up to thirteen academic programs, including: Biomedical Informatics and Data Science, Computational and Systems Biology, Molecular Genetics and Genomics and Neuroscience.

The successful candidate is expected to establish an extramurally-funded research program, mentor Master's and PhD students and foster development of an equitable and diverse environment. They will develop an independent research program and be a part of a translational team of researchers at the NGI focused on understanding the biology of neurodegeneration, developing prediction models and identifying druggable targets

The new faculty will join a large, multi-disciplinary and collaborative environment of faculties with expertise in genomics, multi-omics, machine learning, and cell-models and iPSC in neurodegeneration. The successful candidate will also become integrated into the university’s neuroscience and genetics communities (Knight-ADRC and Hope Center) that feature highly successful members, a collaborative atmosphere, and broad research interests. They will also have access to state of the art facilities at the McDonnell Genome Institute (MGI) and competitive Research Infrastructure Services (RIS)

The successful candidates will have a Ph.D. and/or M.D. in a relevant discipline with an exceptional track record in research and mentoring and a well-defined research project.

End Date

June 15, 2024

Applications received by June 15, 2024 will receive full consideration, while applications received thereafter will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

This is a fully in-person position at our 4444 Forest Park Avenue location in St. Louis, MO 63108

An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action. It is the university’s policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, disability, or genetic information. Washington University seeks an exceptionally qualified and diverse faculty; women, minorities, protected veterans and candidates with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action. It is the university’s policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, disability, or genetic information. Washington University seeks an exceptionally qualified and diverse faculty; women, minorities, protected veterans and candidates with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.