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POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE!

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Three postdoctoral positions are available starting immediately in the Kaya lab at the Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.  The Kaya lab will focus on both basic and translational research areas. Our newly established lab cannot take off without motivated people. Postdoctoral applicants with a Ph.D. degree should be independent, productive, and highly motivated to design and carry out experiments, analyze, organize, and present data in written form and to meetings, and to write papers and grants. Applicant must possess strong English and analytical skills. Salaries, stipend, and benefits are commensurate with university policy and NIH guidelines. VCU provides full health and retirement benefits for postdoctoral fellows.

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Our lab provides an outstanding platform for Postdocs developing their own ideas and projects that are related to our core interests. The candidate will have access to a cutting-edge technologies, yeast, worm, cell culture and mice models to perform the experiments.

We are supporting other projects candidates would like to possess, as long as they fit our general direction.

 

POSITION 1: C. elegans Model.

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REQUIRED SKILLS

The Kaya lab is establishing worm model to address questions, related to biology of aging and neurobiology. We are seeking candidates with a PhD and a strong background in neuroscience, mitochondrial biology, cellular senescence and aging or related fields who are passionate and self-motivated/independent in research. The ideal candidate must have hands on experience in worm genetics and biology, molecular cloning and other efficient genome engineering (e.g. CRISPR, MosSCI) techniques and behavioral analysis.

 

The possible projects include but not limited to:

1) To understand the function of essential genes in aging.

3) To understand the mechanism and the role of cytoplasmic mitochondrial DNA fragments in aging and neurodegenerative disease.

4) And other aspects of biology of aging including drug development/screening, mechanisms of dietary intervention.

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POSITION 2: Cell Culture/Mice Model.

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The Kaya lab is establishing cell and animal models of human diseases, dietary interventions, transgenic mice, and in vitro approaches to address questions, related to biology of aging. We are seeking candidates with a PhD and a strong background in neuroscience, mitochondrial biology, cancer biology, cellular senescence, cell culture, or related fields who are passionate and self-motivated/independent in research. The ideal candidate must have hands on experience in cell culture, animal husbandry and genetics (mouse) molecular cloning and other efficient genome engineering (e.g. CRISPR, shRNA, cloning) techniques for generating cell culture models.

 

The possible projects include but not limited to:
1) To understand the biology of complex polyploid genomes in senescence formation, cellular senescence phenotype and neurodegenerative diseases.

2) To understand the mechanisms of cancer- and age-related metabolic disorders and epigenetic dysregulation associated with aneuploidy, thereby providing a possible means to manipulate these pathways in age-associated diseases.
3) To understand the mechanism and the role of cytoplasmic mitochondrial DNA fragments in aging and neurodegenerative disease.

 

POSITION 3: Yeast Model.


Using a yeast model, the Kaya lab investigates Gene-Metabolite regulatory network and Gene-Environment interaction on the evolution of lifespan  and stress response. Strong background and hands on experience in yeast cell culture and molecular biology, genetic and metabolic engineering is necessary.  Experience with -omics approaches; library preparation data analysis is plus.  Ideal candidate should have relevant publication record; proactive approach to research; and excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills. Must be able to design and execute research experiments independently after consulting with the PI, contribute as part of a team, and act as lead researcher on multiple projects. 

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Fundamental questions to be addressed by the successful applicant:

  • How are changes in mitochondrial genetic background causally interact with stress resistance and aging process?

  • What is the molecular basis of essential gene mediated lifespan extension?

  • What are the mitochondria associated factors regulating  cellular proteostasis in old cells?

  • And what are the adaptive cellular strategies  to extend life and health span?

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How to Apply: Interested candidates should send a cover letter summarizing their research interests, career goals and CV with a publication list and names and contact information of three references (preferably in a single PDF) to “kayaa@vcu.edu”.

 

Application Deadline Date: Open until filled.

 

The Kaya Lab is committed to creating a diverse, respectful environment where people of all backgrounds are welcome and can thrive. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

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