Postdoctoral Scientist/Assistant Staff Scientist - Nath Lab

Molecular Immunology and Functional Genomics of Lupus
The Nath Lab at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) seeks an outstanding Postdoctoral Scientist or Assistant Staff Scientist to join our multidisciplinary research team investigating the molecular mechanisms through which non-coding genetic variants identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) contribute to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune diseases.

This position is ideal for a highly motivated molecular biologist with strong expertise in immunology who is interested in applying cutting-edge genomic technologies and artificial intelligence to elucidate the functional consequences of disease-associated genetic variation.

Research Program
Genome-wide association studies have identified hundreds of genetic loci associated with SLE and other autoimmune diseases, and the vast majority of risk variants are located in non-coding regions of the genome. The central challenge is determining how these variants influence gene regulation and immune cell function.

Our laboratory integrates computational genomics, molecular biology, functional genomics, and immunology to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying disease-associated variants. We investigate multiple regulatory mechanisms, including: enhancer and promoter activity, alternative RNA splicing (sQTLs), gene expression regulation (eQTLs), chromatin accessibility and epigenetic regulation, and three-dimensional chromatin interactions.

Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:

• Functionally characterize non-coding GWAS variants associated with SLE and related autoimmune diseases.
• Design and perform molecular biology experiments to determine how regulatory variants alter gene function.
• Perform assays including:
  • Reporter gene (luciferase) assays
  • Minigene splicing assays
  • CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing (knockout, knock-in, CRISPRi, CRISPRa)
  • Gene expression analyses (RT-qPCR, RNA-seq)
  • Protein expression analyses (Western blot)
  • Chromatin and regulatory assays
• Culture and manipulate human immune cell lines and primary immune cells.
• Perform immunological assays including flow cytometry, T-cell activation, cytokine profiling, proliferation, apoptosis, and related functional studies.
• Collaborate with computational biologists to integrate GWAS, functional genomics, and AI-based genomic predictions.
• Analyze experimental data and contribute to publications and grant applications.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a biological science, chemistry, physics or other relevant area, M.D., or equivalent.

The successful candidate should demonstrate: