The Logsdon Lab at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral research fellow to investigate the role of non-coding RNAs at human centromeres using long-read sequencing technologies.

All human chromosomes have a centromere that ensures that chromosomes are equally partitioned to daughter cells during cell division. Each centromere is transcribed into long non-coding RNA molecules by RNA Polymerase II, which regulates the assembly of centromeric chromatin and ensures that the centromeres are able to function. Despite their fundamental importance, the sequence, length, and diversity of centromeric RNAs have never been determined, and their variation among the human population is unclear. To address this gap in knowledge, we are seeking a postdoctoral research fellow to perform long-read isoform sequencing on diverse human samples. The successful candidate will generate the first comprehensive catalog of human centromeric transcripts, which will reveal the natural variation of centromeric RNAs and the impact of this variation on centromere function in both health and disease.

This is a wonderful training opportunity for those interested in learning and applying long-read sequencing technologies to detect RNA isoforms that have been previously missed with short-read RNA sequencing technologies. We will provide hands-on training on long-read sequencing platforms (if desired) as well as training in computational analyses to assess the variation of centromeric transcripts.

Essential Duties

• Isolate RNA from human cell lines and prepare RNA and/or cDNA sequencing libraries
• Perform long-read RNA sequencing on the Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) Revio and/or the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) PromethION platforms
• Assess the variation of centromeric transcripts across centromeres and individuals using established computational tools
• Develop new software to analyze centromeric transcript diversity
• Present research at lab meetings, departmental seminars, and conferences
• Write and publish results as a first author in abstracts, posters, and manuscripts
• Apply for postdoctoral fellowships to gain experience with writing grants and obtaining funding

Qualifications

Minimum requirements:

• Ph.D. in a biological science by the time of appointment
• A strong record of academic productivity
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to successfully complete projects independently

Applicants who have experience with the following are especially encouraged to apply:

• RNA isolation
• Next-generation sequencing (e.g. Illumina)
• Long-read sequencing
• Computational tools used in bioinformatics research
• Programming languages (Python, R, Java, C/C++, Perl, etc.).

Job Location

Philadelphia, PA, USA

Department/School

Department of Genetics at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Contact

Interested individuals should email Dr. Glennis Logsdon (glogsdon@pennmedicine.upenn.edu) with a description of your previous research experience and interests, a CV, and contact information of three references (name, position, title, organization, email, and phone number).

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $65,000.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Philadelphia, PA 19104: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person