Post Doctoral Fellow Porphyria Translational Research

Site: Massachusetts General Physicians Organization, Inc.

 

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

 

 

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Fellow to join a translational research team focused on erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) and related porphyrias. The fellow will engage in both bench-based research and clinical study support, contributing to our understanding of genetic modifiers, disease mechanisms, and novel therapeutic approaches.
This is a dynamic and interdisciplinary role suited for a molecular biologist with strong expertise in rare hematologic or metabolic disorders, functional genomics, and translational research. The position also involves contributions to clinical trial operations, regulatory support, and patient-centered research initiatives. The position offers opportunities for authorship, career development, and exposure to collaborative research across genomics, dermatology, and hematology.

Research Program Overview:
Dr. Amy Dickey leads a translational research program focused on porphyria, a group of rare genetic disorders affecting heme biosynthesis. Her work includes clinical trials, observational registry studies, and laboratory-based investigations aimed at understanding the genetic and biological modifiers of disease severity. Current projects include identifying and characterizing genetic modifiers of EPP, understanding mechanisms of phototoxicity in EPP, investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored clinical trials, the development of digital biomarkers for light sensitivity, and the creation of a longitudinal porphyria disease registry with linked biospecimens. Dr. Dickey collaborates closely with Dr. Rebecca Karp in hematology and co-directs a multidisciplinary porphyria clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital. The lab is located within the MGH Cutaneous Biology Research Center (CBRC), offering a highly collaborative, patient-centered research environment at the intersection of genomics, clinical medicine, and therapeutic discovery.


Laboratory Research:
· Design and conduct functional studies of candidate genetic modifiers
· Perform molecular biology experiments, including digital PCR, transcriptomic profiling, and gene editing (e.g., CRISPR)
· Maintain and manipulate mammalian cell lines to model disease-relevant pathways (e.g., oxidative stress, iron metabolism, heme biosynthesis)

Clinical Research Support:
· Assist with the coordination of clinical trials and patient registry activities
· Support regulatory documentation, IRB amendments, and data quality assurance
· Engage in analysis of clinical outcome measures and patient-reported data

Academic and Collaborative Contributions:
· Prepare data and figures for publications, presentations, and grant applications
· Participate in team meetings, cross-institutional collaborations, and scientific conferences
· Contribute to mentoring students or trainees, where applicable

 

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:  

• MD and/or PhD, with training in molecular biology, genetics, and biomedical sciences

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:         

Required:

• Advanced expertise in molecular biology, cell culture, and functional assays
• Strong data interpretation, scientific writing, and presentation skills
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment
• Enthusiasm for translational research and rare disease impact

Preferred:

• Experience with transcriptomic analyses (bulk or single-cell RNA-seq), CRISPR-based screening, or pathway-level interpretation of omics data
• Prior experience with rare disease models or metabolic/hematologic disorders
• Familiarity with IRB protocols, REDCap, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) principles

WORKING CONDITIONS:   

This position involves a combination of laboratory, clinical research, and office-based work. The Research Specialist role will involve the following:

• Work in a biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory environment, handling human cell lines and biological specimens following institutional safety protoc