LINE-1 retrotransposons and endogenous retroviruses comprise a large portion of the human genome, and their upregulation can lead to induction of innate immune signaling pathways. Our objective is to understand how genome organizing proteins regulate this signaling, with the ultimate goal of identifying new pathways that can be targeted to promote cancer cell death and/or prevent autoinflammatory disease pathogenesis. Our lab is R01 funded, we have been very successful in obtaining federal and private, independent funding for postdocs, and we are excited to add passionate, motivated and creative scientists to our group.

Principal Investigator: Michelle Longworth, PhD

Lerner Research Institute Department: Inflammation & Immunity

Lab Research Topics:

• Innate immunity
• Endogenous retroviruses
• Retrotransposons
• Chromatin and epigenetics
• Promotion of cancer cell death
• For more information about the lab’s research, please visit: longworthlab.com or contact Dr. Longworth at longwom@ccf.org.

Job Responsibilities:

• Independent project design with the goal of data generation, analysis, interpretation and manuscript preparation
• Designing and conducting experiments; analyzing results
• Writing scientific manuscripts
• Writing fellowships
• Attending national and international scientific conferences

Education:

• PhD or MD/PhD required
• MD with relevant laboratory experience may substitute for PhD

Languages:

• English Proficiency proof required for candidates arriving on J-1, J-2, or F1 + OPT visa status

Work Experience:

• Previous experience in a research or academic setting.  Graduate student experience meets this requirement.
• Scientific writing experience

Additional Preferred Qualities:

• Experience with any of the following:
• Retrotransposable elements
• Innate immune signaling
• CUT&RUN, RNA-seq, scRNA-seq, chromatin confirmation capture techniques
• CRISPR/ Cas9

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform work in a stationary position for extended periods
• Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment
• Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information
• Ability to distinguish color
• Manual dexterity to handle specimens and repair equipment
• Ability to lift and transport equipment or specimens weighing up to 20 pounds
• May be exposed to hazardous chemicals, bio-hazards, radioactive materials, etc.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• PPE per institutional requirements; may vary by laboratory

Preferred Application Materials:

• CV
• Short description of thesis work (1-2 paragraphs)
• List of 3 references
• All application materials should be submitted directly via email to Michelle Longworth at longwom@ccf.org.

Keywords: Postdoc, Research, LRI, Immunology, Cancer, Virus, Retrovirus, Epigenetics, Chromatin, Innate immunity, Signaling