Postdoctoral Research Associate - Developmental Biology

ST. LOUIS, MO 63110

The Kroll laboratory is seeking Postdoctoral Research Associates to spearhead new investigations expanding upon our core research programs in human cortical development and neurodevelopmental disorders (including autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, epilepsy, and brain overgrowth syndromes).

Fellows will drive independent projects leveraging our established human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) differentiation pipelines—utilizing patient-derived iPSCs, patterned brain organoids, and assembloids—alongside our multi-omics, high-content imaging, and HD-MEA functional assessment platforms. Successful candidates will collaborate closely with team members to uncover transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms governing GABAergic interneuron and excitatory neuron specification.

The Kroll laboratory focuses on defining transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory networks that build the human cerebral cortex, and how disruption of these programs causes neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and epilepsy. We study how cortical neural progenitors are specified and initiate neurogenesis, and how the two major classes of cortical neurons, glutamatergic excitatory neurons and GABAergic inhibitory interneurons, differentiate, mature, and assemble into functional networks.

To study these processes in human cells, we use directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including genome-edited and patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), into cortical excitatory and inhibitory neurons and patterned brain organoids and assembloids. We combine these models with genome-wide approaches including defining changes in genome-wide transcription factor occupancy and histone modification state by CUT&RUN/Tag, RNA-seq, high-content imaging, and functional neuronal network assessment by high-density multi-electrode array. We also work with complementary mouse models to study aspects of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Information on being a postdoc at WashU in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/.

Lab Website: https://sites.wustl.edu/krolllab/.

• →Leads a research project resulting in first-author publication(s).
• →Develops expertise in hPSC-based disease modeling and the transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of human neurodevelopment.
• →Prepares and submits applications for individual fellowship support (e.g., NIH F32, K99/R00, and foundation awards).
• →Develops career skills in scientific writing, presentation, mentoring, and critical evaluation of literature.

Please submit a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

• Ph.D. in neuroscience, molecular biology, stem cell biology, or a related field.
• Strong publication record in cellular neurobiology, genomics, or stem cell models.
• Experience with hPSC models and directed differentiation into relevant lineages in 2-D and 3-D (organoid) culture.
• Experience with molecular and mechanistic approaches, including chromatin profiling (e.g., CUT&RUN/CUT&Tag) to define chromatin state, transcription factor occupancy, and transcriptional regulation, or molecular and pharmacological approaches to NDD phenotype reversal.
• Experience with high-content imaging and functional phenotyping of neuronal and network function.
• Experience analyzing and integrating multi-omics datasets, or a strong interest in learning.

Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree. - Molecular Genetics And Genomics No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

No specific work experience is required for this position. No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Bioinformatics, Biological Sciences, Biology, Cell Biology, Genomics, Informatics, Life Science, Molecular Biology Collaboration, Data Analysis, Data Interpretations, Experimentation, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Techniques, Researching, Results Reporting, Scientific Writing

A driver's license is not required for this position.

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity or shared ancestry, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. As a federal contractor, the university maintains affirmative action programs to implement its equal employment opportunity policy for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), as amended.