Postdoctoral Researcher

Postdoctoral Fellow
Department of Bio-Medical Sciences
Philadelphia Campus – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)

A postdoctoral research associate position is available in the Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Philadelphia, PA with an anticipated start date of mid 2019. This post-doctoral fellow will be working in the Evolutionary Developmental Anthropology lab of Dr. Phil Reno. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position that is funded for at least three years through the NSF to study the factors influencing growth plate formation and comparative genomics of growth rate with a particular focus on human and hominoid evolution. Candidates with a background in comparative genomics, molecular biology, histology and/or human anatomy are encouraged to apply for this position. Highly motivated candidates with a recent Ph.D. in life sciences or a related field with a proven history of peer reviewed publications is being sought. Successful applicants will be involved in tissue collection and nucleotide extraction of mouse samples, perform genomic and epigenomic library preparation, and conduct bioinformatics analyses. The candidate will also be given the opportunity to initiate, develop, and execute ongoing and novel collaborative research projects in the lab, as well as participate in educational outreach efforts. There is the opportunity for training in the teaching of cadaver based human anatomy.

The Reno Lab (renoevodevo.com) is funded by grants from the NSF Biological Anthropology and Integrative and Organismal Sciences programs. This research takes a multi-faceted approach to studying growth plate formation and evolution through the analysis of skeletal development in mouse Hox knockout models, comparing the transcriptome and chromatin profiles of developing cartilage, and comparative genomics of mice, humans and other mammals, particularly primates. Current funding provides three years of postdoctoral support. The potential exists for funding to be extended through cost-sharing if the candidate is able to participate in human anatomy medical education.

PCOM supports an active and multidisciplinary research environment with focus areas including the Biology of Bone and Joints and Organismal and Evolutionary Biology. The college has multiple internal funding programs to support pilot and novel research projects. The Philadelphia campus maintains core facilities for cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, tissue processing, imaging, in vivo physiological analyses, animal husbandry, surgical procedures and data acquisition. Sequencing and proteomics services are available nearby at the University of Pennsylvania, the Wistar Institute and the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University.

The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. To apply for the position, send via e-mail a letter of intent with a description of research accomplishments and goals, a curriculum vitae, and names and addresses of three references to Dr. Phil Reno (philipre@pcom.edu).