About this role
- Summary The lab is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to investigate the mechanisms regulating RNA transcription fidelity in vivo in Escherichia coli and their impact on bacterial physiology and phenotypic variability.
- The Postdoctoral Associate will design and conduct experiments to identify factors influencing transcription accuracy and characterize RNA polymerase errors using high-throughput sequencing approaches.
- The position involves developing and optimizing experimental approaches, analyzing sequencing data, and communicating research findings through scientific publications and presentations.
- Job Duties Designs and performs experiments to investigate the mechanisms controlling RNA transcription fidelity in vivo in Escherichia coli.
- Develops bacterial genetic systems to identify factors affecting RNA polymerase accuracy and determine how transcription errors influence bacterial physiology and phenotypic variability.
- Performs molecular biology experiments, including bacterial strain construction, genetic manipulation, RNA extraction, and preparation of samples for sequencing.
- Performs RNA sequencing experiments using Illumina NextSeq technology and highly accurate RNA sequencing approaches, including circular sequencing (Circle-seq) and related methods.
- Optimizes sample preparation, library construction, and sequencing protocols to detect rare transcription errors.
- Analyzes sequencing datasets to quantify RNA error frequencies, identifies transcription error hotspots, and investigate genetic factors influencing RNA fidelity.
- Analyzes and interprets experimental findings.
- Evaluates their biological significance, and develops hypotheses for subsequent experiments.
- Maintains accurate laboratory records, prepare figures and reports, and contributes to manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- Presents research findings during laboratory meetings, departmental seminars, and scientific conferences.
- Collaborates with graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and other laboratory members to advance ongoing research projects.
- Provides technical guidance on RNA sequencing, bacterial genetics, and experimental troubleshooting.
- Assists with maintaining laboratory protocols, ensuring research quality, and supporting compliance with institutional laboratory safety and research standards.
- Performs other job related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- MD or Ph.D. in Basic Science, Health Science, or a related field.
- No experience required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Ph.D. in genetics, genomics, or a related field, with demonstrated expertise in RNA fidelity.
- Experience with Illumina NextSeq sequencing, and familiarity with circular sequencing (Circle-seq) methodologies is desired.