Postdoc position 1: Understanding Transcriptional Heterogeneity in Human Heart
We are currently seeking postdoctoral fellows join our DCM team who are working on understanding transcriptional heterogeneity in human heart with state-of-art sequencing technologies. Much progress has been made in understanding the genetics of cardiovascular diseases like Dilated Cardiomyopathy, but developing targeted therapies will require a better understanding of how genetics affects heart function. Due to technical limitations, it remains challenging to unravel the whole repertoire of different isoforms expressed in a population of cells. Our project therefore aims to map all full-length transcript isoforms in single heart cells. To overcome this, we propose to develop a method for the detection of full-length transcript isoforms at single cell resolution. In addition, we aim to add a read-out for CRISPR-mediated perturbations in order to obtain a systems analysis of the function of splice factors in single cells of the heart. We are looking for talented experimental biologists to lead the development of novel single-cell transcriptomics methods based on long-read sequencing, as well as experienced computational candidates to build on our existing pipelines for the analysis of our long-read data.
For more background on our work on DCM, you can read our recent publications: Zhu et al. Nature Communications, 2021 and Briganti et al. Cell Reports, 2020
Candidates should have a Ph.D. in a relevant field with strong expertise in RNA biology and sequencing technologies. Experience in cardiac biology and in cultivating or isolating heart cells will be a bonus but is not a requirement.
Postdoc position 2: Determining Immunological Basis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
We are currently seeking a postdoctoral fellow to lead a project on determining the immunological basis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). The project aims to understand ME/CFS etiology by applying state-of-the-art single-cell transcriptomics to blood samples from ME/CFS patients. Many studies have shown that the immune system is affected in ME/CFS patients, e.g., low activity of NK cells, altered levels of cytokines (signaling molecules of the immune system), and the likelihood of a microbial infection preceding the illness. Together with the labs of Ronald Davis and Mark Davis, the aim of this study is to establish the role of T cells and the immune system in ME/CFS by examining the genetic material in T cells – immune cells that identify and kill infected cells. Our lab is developing effective methods for sequencing RNA from single T cells, which they are using to understand how T cell behavior may be different in ME/CFS. You will lead the study design and perform experiments, including large-scale single-cell transcriptomics in human T-cells and other cells of the immune system. The data analysis and interpretation will be supported by a bioinformatician from the lab.
For more background on our work in ME/CFS, see Huang et al., PNAS, 2019
Candidates should have a Ph.D. in a relevant field with strong expertise in immunology and single-cell RNA-seq. Knowledge and skills in analyzing NGS data will be a bonus but not required.
Postdoc position 3: Developing Precision CRISPR Editing Technologies in Human Cells
We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to work on developing precision CRISPR editing technologies in human cell lines in our systems genetics lab at the Stanford Genome Technology Center. We have recently described a system which improves the efficiency of homology directed repair (HDR) by an order of magnitude by actively recruiting donor DNA to CRISPR-mediated double-strand breaks (Roy, Smith, Vonesch et al. Nat Biotech. 2018). This allows for highly multiplexed, systematic genome editing in the model eukaryote S. cerevisiae to quantitatively measure the effects of all genetic variants in this species. We seek a candidate interested in developing similar HDR-boosting technologies for human cells, including donor recruitment as well as additional approaches, to facilitate CRISPR editing screens in several types of human cell lines. This will enable identification of causal variants and may also have applications for gene and cell therapies. The candidate would be working closely with the team who established the donor recruitment and multiplexed editing technologies in yeast to guide the development of HDR-enhancing systems in human cells.
Candidates should have a Ph.D. in a relevant field with required experience in human tissue culture, transfection, cell line construction, and constructing vectors for mammalian cells. Experience in genome editing (CRISPR, Base/Prime Editors, Talens, Zinc Fingers, etc), next generation sequencing analysis and background in DNA repair will be beneficial but not required.
General Requirements
The appointed candidate should be highly motivated, creative, and well organized. Excellent communication skills, and fluency in written and verbal English, are essential. S/he should be capable of working independently but also enjoy being part of an interdisciplinary, collaborative, and international team.
Appointment term and benefits
All postdoctoral fellows have an initial appointment term of two years and this may be extended to five years in total. Benefits for postdoctoral fellows can be found here.
Contacts
Please submit your application documents directly to Prof. Lars Steinmetz (larsms [at] stanford.edu), including your CV and a brief motivation letter and contacts for two references.