Summary 

A postdoctoral fellowship (with the possibility of continued support) is available in the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Department of Physiology in the Chun Liu lab. The Liu lab develops and applies high-throughput functional genomics and human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) cardiovascular organoid models to identify mechanisms and therapeutic targets in genetic heart disease and cancer therapy–induced cardiovascular disease. We integrate CRISPR-based screening platforms (CRISPRi/a and knockout), Perturb-seq and multi-omics, and physiologically relevant 2D/3D human cardiac and vascular organoids, complemented by in vivo mouse models, to enable New Approach Methodologies that improve mechanistic insight and translational relevance. 
The postdoctoral fellow will lead projects that combine cardiovascular organoid with pooled CRISPR screens and single-cell readouts (e.g., Perturb-seq), and validate findings in complementary mouse studies. The postdoctoral fellow will create and follow an individualized development plan (IDP), conduct research studies, attend required courses/seminars, write grants, publish manuscripts, present oral presentations locally and nationally, and learn other skills necessary for a successful career in cardiovascular research. The postdoc is strongly encouraged to apply for internal or external fellowship funding such as the T32 postdoctoral fellowship offered by the Cardiovascular Center of MCW (if eligible) and the postdoc fellowship offered by the American Heart Association. Continued support for this position will be based on annual performance review.
Interested applicants should apply online and attach their curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, and contact information of three references.  

Primary Responsibilities  

• Work under the mentorship of the principal investigator and mentoring team to develop research projects consistent with the aims of the research program.  This would require a thorough investigation of background information pertinent to the research program and an ability to understand the theoretical basis of the work being performed.

• Under the guidance of the faculty mentor and mentoring team, create and follow an individualized development plan (IDP) with foundational elements including, but not limited to progressive responsibility, coordination across multiple levels of translation, interactions with other cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular scientists, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and specific coursework, seminars, and conferences for training in core competencies such as the ethical conduct of research, writing and critique of grants and manuscripts, study design and management, mentoring, teamwork, networking, and oral presentations.  

• Design and execute laboratory experiments specific to the aims of research.

• Troubleshoot assays and customize experimental tools to answer research questions.

• Coordinate external and internal resources necessary for completion of research plan.

• Generate clear, complete, and timely records of experimental work.

• Participate in meetings with principal investigator and research staff to evaluate and interpret the validity of data, develop methodologies, and assess lab procedures.

• Communicate results of research at meetings and actively participate in publication of results.

• Attend pertinent research seminars and investigate new research articles at the request of principal investigator and on own volition.

• Ability to work well in a collaborative research team is required.

• Periodically mentor undergraduate and graduate student in a laboratory setting.

Knowledge – Skills – Abilities 

• Ability to maintain mouse colonies, performing animal surgeries, and in vivo cardiovascular phenotyping is preferred.

• Mammalian cell culture and common molecular techniques is required.

• Generating and/or analyzing multi-omics datasets and CRISPR editing is preferred.

• Proficiency in written and spoken English, with a special emphasis on technical writing, is required.

• Documentation, records management and data utilization. 

• Complex problem solving, critical thinking, and resource management 

Qualifications 

Minimum Required Education: PhD in life science or biomedical research fields, or MD

Minimum Required Experience: 0 years of previous postdoc experience     

Preferred Experience: Cardiovascular Biology, Stem Cell Biology, or Functional Genomics/CRISPR                  

Required Certification/Licensure(s):  Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI) or similar Human Research Protections Certification and/or Required Animal Laboratory Use or other Biosafety Training to be completed in first month of employment