Position Summary

The Shen Lab within the Division of Cardiology and Department of Medicine at WashU Medicine in St. Louis, USA is recruiting two postdoctoral associates. Our lab specializes in precision cardiovascular medicine, leveraging cutting-edge approaches such as human iPSC-derived 2D cardiovascular cells, 3D vascularized cardioids, CRISPR gene editing, high-throughput CRISPRko/i/a screening, single-cell multiomics, tissue engineering, and animal models.

Our current research primarily focuses on four key areas: 1) Developing robust, chemically defined differentiation protocols to generate diverse cardiovascular cell types from iPSCs, enabling advanced cardiovascular disease modeling and cell therapy applications (Nature Cardiovascular Research 2023; Circulation 2023; Circulation Research 2021, Circulation 2019), 2) Uncovering genetic drivers of anti-cancer drug-induced cardiovascular toxicity through integrated iPSC models and high-throughput CRISPRi/a screening (Cell Stem Cell 2024), 3) Deciphering pathogenic coding and non-coding variants linked to congenital heart disease in a cell type-specific manner (Cell 2022), and 4) Combining iPSC-derived cells and single-cell perturb sequencing to establish foundational models to predict the effects of potential drug candidates on cardiovascular diseases. By combining genome engineering, functional genomics, and tissue models, we aim to advance mechanistic insights and therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases.

We are seeking highly motivated, creative postdoctoral fellows to drive innovations in cardiovascular precision medicine. We welcome candidates with expertise in iPSC biology, functional genomics, developmental biology, cardiovascular disease, and/or bioinformatics to explore the intersection of cardiovascular physiology, cancer biology, and regenerative medicine. This position offers the opportunity to develop translational research projects using cutting-edge approaches in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment.

Our lab provides a collaborative and supportive culture that champions teamwork, scientific curiosity, and innovation. Successful candidates will lead impactful research initiatives while receiving personalized mentorship to foster their growth as independent investigators. We are committed to your career success, offering dedicated support for fellowship applications, training grants, and transition to independence, along with opportunities to develop leadership and mentoring skills.

WashU offers outstanding research infrastructure and professional development resources through its Career Center, Teaching Center, and Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. As part of our vibrant scientific community, you will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and a network of interdisciplinary collaborators.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

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

Trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor including (but not limited to):

• Manage their own project, which should lead to a first author publication.
• Develop expertise in iPSC differentiation, CRISPR screens, and omics data analysis.
• Develop proficiency in career skills, including writing, public speaking, networking, and critical evaluation of scientific literature.
• Present scientific work both inside and outside the University with excellent oral communication skills.
• Assist with grant preparation and reporting.
• Prepare and submit papers on research with excellent writing skills.
• Design research experiments.
• Evaluate research findings and reports results.
• Conscientious discharge of their research responsibilities.
• Maintain conformity with ethical standards in research.
• Maintain compliance with good laboratory practice including the maintenance of adequate research records.
• Engage in open and timely discussion with his/her mentor regarding possession or distribution of material, reagents, or records belonging to their laboratory and any proposed disclosure of findings or techniques privately or in publications.
• Practice collegial conduct towards co-trainees, staff members and members of the research group.
• Adhere to all applicable University policies, procedures and regulations. All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated in University laboratories remain the property of the University.
• Support the PI with mentorship duties for undergraduate and graduate trainees.

Working Conditio