Postdoctoral Scientist - Ocañas Lab

CAREERS AT OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION

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The Ocañas Lab at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation is seeking a motivated postdoctoral researcher interested in women’s health, ovarian biology, brain aging, neurodegeneration, inflammation, and/or single-cell and multi-omic approaches to aging biology.

Our lab studies how aging and sex-specific biology shape inflammatory and degenerative processes across tissues, with a particular focus on the ovary and brain. Current projects investigate mechanisms of ovarian aging, immune cell remodeling, neuroinflammation, microglial biology, Alzheimer’s disease, and the molecular links between reproductive aging and brain health. We use mouse models, single-cell transcriptomics, epigenomics, spatial and molecular biology approaches, and computational analyses to understand how aging-associated inflammatory pathways contribute to tissue dysfunction and disease.

The postdoctoral scientist will lead independent and collaborative projects focused on mechanisms of ovarian aging, women’s health, brain aging, and/or neurodegeneration. The position offers opportunities to develop expertise in animal models, molecular biology, tissue imaging, flow cytometry, single-cell genomics, bioinformatics, and translational aging research.

• Developing and leading research projects related to ovarian aging, inflammation, brain aging, or neurodegenerative disease.
• Designing and performing experiments using mouse models, tissue collection, histology, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, molecular assays, and/or sequencing-based approaches.
• Analyzing and interpreting experimental data, including single-cell, transcriptomic, epigenomic, or other multi-omic datasets, depending on the candidate’s interests and expertise.
• Preparing manuscripts, abstracts, figures, presentations, and fellowship or grant applications.
• Presenting research findings at lab meetings, institutional seminars, and national or international conferences.
• Contributing to a collaborative and inclusive lab environment, including mentoring junior trainees and working closely with other lab members and collaborators.

• Ph.D. in a biological science such as neuroscience, physiology, reproductive biology, genomics, bioinformatics, chemistry, physics or other relevant area, M.D., or equivalent degree.
• Strong interest in women’s health, ovarian biology, aging, neurodegeneration, inflammation, or related areas.
• Experience with experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.

• Experience with one or more of the following areas: reproductive biology, ovarian biology, neuroscience, aging biology, immunology, neuroinflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, or sex differences research.
• Experience with mouse models, tissue dissection, histology, immunostaining, microscopy, flow cytometry, molecular biology, or sequencing library preparation.
• Experience analyzing RNA-seq, single-cell RNA‑seq, ATAC‑seq, DNA methylation, spatial transcriptomics, or other high‑dimensional datasets.
• Programming or data analysis experience in R, Python, or similar platforms.
• Evidence of productivity, including first‑author publications, conference presentations, or successful fellowship/grant applications.
• Interest in developing an independent research program related to aging, women’s health, neurodegeneration, or reproductive biology.

Founded in 1946, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is among the nation’s oldest, most respected independent, nonprofit biomedical research institutes. OMRF is dedicated to understanding and developing more effective treatments for human diseases, focusing on critical research areas such as Alzheimer’s…