Postdoctoral Fellows in Heart and Muscle Disease Modeling and Regeneration
We are looking to fill up two postdoctoral positions immediately available in the Bursac Lab at Duke University (http://bursaclab.pratt.duke.edu/). The Bursac lab performs basic and translational studies in the fields of skeletal and cardiac muscle biology, disease, and regeneration. Complex three-dimensional organoids (engineered tissues) are made from human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, myogenic, endothelial, neuronal, and immune system cells. In these 3D culture systems, genome editing, next-generation sequencing and various physiological and biochemical techniques are applied to model and study human diseases (e.g., Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Pompe disease, Dysferlinopathy, cardiac arrhythmias) and discover new therapeutics. The most promising gene and drug therapeutic candidates from in vitro studies are tested in animal models of myocardial infarction, skeletal muscle injury, and genetic diseases in vivo. We use both small (mice, rats) and large (pig) animals to perform basic and pre-clinical gene and cell therapy studies.
Qualified candidates should have a PhD or MD degree in cell and molecular biology, biomedical engineering, or other relevant areas of biomedical sciences. Candidates with experience in differentiation of human iPS cells into cardiomyocytes or skeletal muscle cells, genome editing (CRISPR), and in vivo models of cardiac and skeletal muscle diseases will be given priority. The Bursac group is a diverse and stimulating environment that performs cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in collaboration with cell biologists and clinicians at Duke University. The available resources and combination of basic and translational research provide an exceptional training environment for pursuit of academic career. Postdoctoral fellows are expected to be self-motivated, good communicators, and able to work both independently and as a part of a larger group. Significant emphasis during postdoctoral training will be placed on grant and manuscript writing and mentoring of graduate students. Duke University is an equal opportunity employer. Interested candidates should e-mail their resume, statement of research goals, and at least three reference names to Prof. Nenad Bursac (nbursac@duke.edu).
