Post-Doctoral Position in Computational Biology – Transcriptomic Network Inference for Traumatic Brain Injury
Pitt Talent Center Job ID: 23002230 (https://www.join.pitt.edu)
The University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute (UPDDI) is part of a multi-scale multidisciplinary effort to identify biomarkers related to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to develop a drug discovery pipeline for treating TBI-related neurodegeneration. UPDDI invites applications for a full-time postdoctoral position in Computational Systems Biology. The incumbent will be responsible for developing a quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) pipeline for using transcriptomic data to predict drugs that reduce TBI-associated neurodegeneration, and for implementing biological models to test the predictions.
The primary duties are analysis of RNA sequencing data from in vitro and in vivo TBI models (including single-cell RNA-seq), inferring signaling pathways and specific targets related to TBI progression and recovery, and network- or structure-based computational prediction of drugs that modulate the course of TBI by targeting these pathways; and development and implementation of human multi-cell type 3D models to test the predicted drugs. Additional duties include participation in the training/mentoring of graduate students, writing papers, and making presentations in scientific meetings relevant to your research activities.
The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology, bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related field, with a research focus on causal inference from transcriptomic data. Experience in quantitative analysis of large-scale data sets and strong analytical skills are required. Candidates are expected to be familiar with RNA-seq data and related analysis tools and be experienced in the development of cell-based assays. Familiarity with pathway analysis software and experience with drug discovery or QSP is a plus.
Start Date: Immediately
Funding from NIH-NINDS
Experience and Training
- Ph.D in physiology, cell biology, biophysics, biomedical engineering, or related field
- Strong cell-based research experience; previous experience with liver MPS model systems or co-culture systems is highly valued.
- Experience in liver cell and organ physiology, cell and molecular biology and fluorescence imaging is highly desired.
- Experience with primary (patient isolated) human cells and iPSCs a plus.
Position Responsibilities
- Implement computational methods to infer signaling pathways and networks in TBI and neurodegeneration starting with RNA-Seq expression data.
- Collaborate with the neurodegeneration team in the UPDDI and scientists in Neurological Surgery.
Interested applicants please email:
Celeste Reese, Institute Manager cer25@pitt.edu
The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer
Post-Doctoral Position in Human Liver Microphysiology Systems (MPS)
Pitt Talent Center Job ID: 22009657 (https://www.join.pitt.edu/)
In the Drug Discovery Institute (Pittsburgh Technology Center), D. Lansing Taylor, Ph.D., Director, University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute (UPDDI) Distinguished Professor and Allegheny Foundation Professor of Computational and Systems Biology. The Drug Discovery Institute is located on the 4th Floor of the Pittsburgh Technology Center, 700 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
The UPDDI is searching for two Postdoctoral Fellows to lead our biomimetic human liver microphysiology systems (MPS) programs in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) using both primary human cells and iPSC-derived cells for application in projects focused on studying mechanisms of NAFLD disease progression, the identification of disease-relevant biomarkers, and the testing of novel NAFLD drug candidates [Saydmohammed M., et al. Exp Biol Med (2021); PMID: 33957803 and Gough A., et al. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. (2021); PMID: 33335282 and Lefever, et. al. Metabolites (2022); PMID: 35736460]. Our MPS model system includes the use of 4-6 liver cell types including hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, stellate cells, Kupffer cells other immune cells, and immune cells) cholangiocytes for use in programs including testing predicted drugs for NAFLD, Type 2 Diabetes, liver as a metastatic niche, biologics-induced liver injury, creating a predictive preclinical trial for NAFLD using patient-derived iPSCs, and 3D bioprinting MPS models using extracellular matrix materials and cells. Great talent in cell-based experimentation, knowledge of liver physiology, and the use of fluorescence imaging systems and image quantification are required. Biomedical engineers with experience in the design and application of liver MPS systems are also strongly encouraged to apply. This is an excellent opportunity to participate in a highly collaborative team of bio-engineers, cell and molecular biologists, computational biologists, pharmacologists, and clinician-scientists to apply our MPS models of disease to drug discovery. The goal is to identify mechanisms and biomarkers of NAFLD disease progression that can be used to develop novel therapeutic strategies for NAFLD, implementing a platform focused on human biomimetic liver microphysiology systems (MPS) that uses functional genomic, biochemical, and phenotypic metrics, the neurophysiology systems database, and quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP).
Start Date: Immediate
Funding from NIH-NCATS, NIH-NIDDK, and NIH-CTSA
Experience and Training
- Ph.D in physiology, cell biology, biophysics, biomedical engineering, or related field
- Strong cell-based research experience; previous experience with liver MPS model systems or co-culture systems is highly valued.
- Experience in liver cell and organ physiology, cell and molecular biology, and fluorescence imaging and quantification is highly desired.
- Experience with primary (patient-isolated) human cells and iPSCs a plus.
Position Responsibilities
- Optimize and validate the application of the human, 4 cell-type vLAMPS model of NAFLD with various drug treatments and interpret the biochemical, biosensor, molecular and pathology read-outs.
- Collaborate with the liver microphysiology systems team and clinician-scientists at Pitt.
- Design, plan and execute experiments; analyze and present results in seminars and publications.
Interested applicants please email:
Celeste Reese, Institute Manager cer25@pitt.edu
The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer