Postdoctoral Research Associate - REQID0002476

Five fully funded years
The Zeitlinger Lab is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to study the cis-regulatory code: how DNA sequence encodes the instructions for gene regulation during development and disease.
The position is fully funded for five years through the Stowers Institute’s endowment, subject to satisfactory research progress, and is part of PostdocEDGE, the Institute’s structured five-year postdoctoral training program — so you can build a substantial body of work instead of optimizing around the next funding deadline.

The research
We combine experimental molecular biology and genomics with computational sequence-to-function modeling. Current directions: cis-trans relationships for human transcription factors, nucleosome-mediated effects, and mechanistic modeling.

Who we are looking for
We work at the interface of experiment and computation, and we want you working there too, whether you arrive from one side or are already somewhere in between. If you come from the bench, we expect you to interpret deep learning models trained on your data. If you come from computation, we expect you to understand the experiments that generated your data and those that would test your hypotheses — though you may get away with never touching a pipette if you are very collaborative.

Requirements
•    Doctoral degree in biology, computer science, or a related field, awarded or expected by July 2027
•    Research experience in at least one of: transcription, genomics, developmental biology, computational biology
•    From the bench: strong molecular biology skills, plus working familiarity with programming and quantitative data analysis
•    From computation: experience applying machine learning to genomics data
•    Clear scientific communication, and the ability to work independently and within a collaborative, interdisciplinary team

Training and mentorship
PostdocEDGE is built to prepare a postdoc for an independent research position. Alongside day-to-day mentorship in the lab, you will:
•    Assemble a mentoring team of 2-3 additional faculty or technology center leaders
•    Build and revisit an Individual Development Plan each year
•    Present at the TechEDGE symposium within your first six months to get direct input on your project
•    Take part in FacultyEDGE, an annual mock faculty search with external faculty who have recently served on search committees, including practice research seminars and chalk talks

Where you will do it
The Stowers Institute is a non-profit basic biomedical research organization in Kansas City, Missouri, founded in 2000 by Jim Stowers, founder of American Century Investments, and his wife Virginia. It is home to more than 500 researchers and staff, over 20 independent research programs, and more than a dozen technology centers and core facilities whose staff work directly with labs to implement specialized methods. Kansas City offers a high quality of life at a fraction of coastal costs: a one-bedroom apartment averages around $1,250 a month.

Compensation and benefits
We offer a competitive salary at or above the applicable NIH NRSA postdoctoral level, as well as excellent benefits starting day one (medical, dental, vision, 403b retirement), paid time off, 17 paid Institute holidays and relocation assistance.

To apply
Send (1) a statement of research interests and experience, (2) a current CV, and (3) contact information for 2–3 references to Dr. Julia Zeitlinger at sbj@stowers.org, copying careers@stowers.org.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. You’ll receive acknowledgment within 2 business days; if not, check spam or write again.

The Stowers Institute for Medical Research is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse scientific community. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.