Postdoctoral Associate - Metabolic Diseases

Summary

The Burrage Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated candidate to pursue studies of the genetic and biochemical basis for rare diseases with a particular focus on inborn errors of metabolism. This position is suitable for candidates who are interested in a wide variety of career pathways and individualized professional development will be supported. The laboratory uses both mouse models and in vitro cell models to gain a greater understanding of rare and undiagnosed diseases with the goal of making discoveries that can impact patients with these disorders.

The Burrage Laboratory is within the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics which ranks first in funding from the National Institutes of Health among genetics departments across the country and which has large clinical and research programs focusing on rare and undiagnosed diseases. The Burrage Laboratory is interested in the genetic and biochemical basis for rare diseases. We combine laboratory-based approaches and clinical/translational studies to investigate rare diseases with a particular focus on inborn errors of metabolism, such as urea cycle disorders. Our long-term goal is to gain greater understanding of the long-term complications of these disorders so that we can optimize management strategies for our patients. Simultaneously, we use these rare disorders as models for understanding basic biological processes that impact more common diseases. In addition, the laboratory participates in large collaborative studies of rare diseases such as the Baylor College of Medicine Undiagnosed Diseases Network and Baylor College of Medicine Center for Precision Medicine Models.

Job Duties

• Plans, directs and conducts independent research experiments using cell and/or animal models (e.g., mouse) of rare genetic / metabolic disorders.
• Organizes, analyzes, and interprets research data.
• Establishes new research protocols and procedures in the laboratory.
• Independently and critically reviews the scientific literature.
• Summarizes research findings and publishes results in research journals and presents work at national or international meetings.
• Communicates effectively with members of the team.
• Supervises and trains students (e.g. summer students, graduate students) and other junior research staff members.

Minimum Qualifications

• MD or Ph.D. in Basic Science, Health Science, or a related field.
• No experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

The PI is seeking a highly motivated candidate with a Ph.D. and/or M.D. in genetics, nutrition, biochemistry, molecular biology or related field. The candidate should have experience working with mouse models and performing basic molecular genetic laboratory techniques such as PCR, qRT-PCR, western blots, and molecular cloning. Experience with tissue culture and induced pluripotent stem cells is preferred but not mandatory.

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.

6466

CA; CH