Research focus and environment:

Three postdoctoral scholar positions are immediately available in the Zhong lab in the Horae Gene Therapy Center (GTC) and RNA Therapeutics Institute (RTI) at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. The GTC and RTI are highly dynamic and collaborative departments, which consist of investigators from several academic departments at UMass Med and thus provide an exceptional environment for candidates seeking inter-disciplinary trainings.

The Zhong lab’s research mainly focuses on engineering RNA switches and utilizing these molecular tools to develop temporally and spatially regulated gene-addition or gene-editing therapy technologies (eLife.2016; Nature Chemical Biology.2017; Molecular Therapy.2018; Nature Biotechnology.2020; an editorial commentary published in the journal Science Translational Medicine highlighting our recent Nature Biotech paper https://stm.sciencemag.org/content/12/529/eaba9016.full). We are applying these technologies to develop next generation gene therapies, which are safer and more efficacious than traditional unregulated gene therapies, for some rare genetic diseases and chronic metabolic/endocrine disorders. For more information about the PI’s prior research, please visit https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=iOamZpMAAAAJ.

Qualifications:

• PhD in cellular and molecular biology, cellular and molecular physiology, biochemistry or related biological/biomedical science.
• Highly motivated to apply skills towards solving molecular/biological problems.
• Excellent experimental and analytical skills, and careful research-record keeping.
• Good written and verbal communication/presentation skills.
• Prior research experience in the following areas, including metabolic/endocrine disease molecular physiology, RNA biology/biochemistry, and bioinformatics, is advantageous but not required.

Career development:

The Zhong lab strongly supports postdoctoral researchers for their future career, including academic and biotech/pharma opportunities.

As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School recognizes the power of a diverse community and encourages applications from individuals with varied experiences, prospectives, and backgrounds.

To apply:

Please submit a cover letter and CV listing three references by email to Guocai Zhong at Guocai.Zhong@umassmed.edu

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