Postdoctoral Researcher

The laboratory of Dr. Meng Zhang at Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute is looking for a postdoctoral scholar to join our team.

The Zhang lab focuses on studying the alterations of RNA transcription, processing, and translation in tumor cells, with the dual goals of both understanding the biology of cancer progression and therapy resistance and identifying potential therapeutic targets to overcome resistance. The lab will integrate a variety of research approaches, including clinical genomics, CRISPR‑based functional genomics, and molecular biology, to systematically investigate RNA biology in cancer initiation, progression, and resistance, leading to the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies for patients.

The ongoing research directions of the Zhang lab include:
1) Investigation of microproteins’ (previously understudied small proteins encoded through non‑canonical translation) role and regulation in aggressive prostate cancer;
2) Deciphering the epigenetic mechanisms of oncogenic gene up regulation driven by non‑canonical promoters;
3) Discovery of novel druggable regulators of neuroendocrine surface protein target DLL
3.

Dr. Zhang received her Ph.D. in Cell Biology from Yale University and her M.S. in Computer Science from Stanford University. She finished her postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco, and has a strong and unique multi‑disciplinary research background across both molecular and computational biology.

Dr. Zhang has published first‑ and co‑author papers in high‑profile journals including Nature Cell Biology, Genes & Development, Nature Genetics, Nature Communications, Cancer Research, etc. (). Her research focuses on RNA biology in development and cancer, and aims to identify regulatory mechanisms and novel RNA and protein species with translational potential.

If you are an aspiring academic scientist looking to expand your skills and knowledge base in translational cancer research and to boost your scientific career, joining our team could be the perfect opportunity! Opportunities for career growth and authorship should be expected within our lab. You will have the chance to work directly with Dr. Zhang, receive mentorship and training in both research techniques and professional development, lead independent projects, and engage in multidisciplinary collaborations.

In addition, you will be encouraged to learn the widely desirable bioinformatics skills under the guidance of Dr. Zhang. We have received generous start‑up funds and are expecting additional grant fundings from the Department of Defense starting September 1 st 2026. We value a collaborative and supportive lab culture.

• Lead independent scientific projects
• Participate in paper and grant writing, and internal and external presentations
• Maintain full and clear records of experimental data and code

• Applicants must have or will obtain a PhD in one of these disciplines: molecular biology, cancer biology, cell biology, genetics, computational biology, or other related fields
• Applicants must have a demonstrated publication track record
• Applicants should have strong communication/organization skills and be detail‑oriented
• Highly motivated individual who thinks independently but also enjoys working in a dynamic, collaborative, multidisciplinary team

• Experience in RNA biology and/or epigenetics
• Experience with CRISPR screening and/or gene editing
• Experience with mouse work
• Experience with cancer data analysis and/or analyzing (epi) genomic sequencing data

Please kindly attach a cover letter with your CV.