Postdoctoral Position, Vascular Development in Zebrafish

University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

Worcester, MA

Posted 1/15/2025

A postdoctoral position is available in the Lawson Lab at University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology (lawsonlab.umassmed.edu ). We utilize the zebrafish as a model system to study the development of the circulatory and lymphatic systems. Current projects focus on two areas:

Developmental nature of vascular anomalies. Efforts focus on modeling capillary, arteriovenous, and lymphatic malformations to determine how early developmental defects associated with known genetic mutations in humans result in defective morphogenesis and function. Studies include identification of relevant molecular targets, linking cellular mechanisms and defects to disease phenotypes, and leveraging our models for small molecule screening to identify therapeutics.

Vascular mural cell development. We seek to identify and dissect transcriptional regulatory networks required for pericyte specification and development. Using single cell profiling, we have identified candidate transcription factors and target regulatory pathways. Current efforts focus on genetic analysis of candidate pathways to determine how they regulate pericyte specification and their role in vascular function, with emphasis on the neurovascular unit.

For all projects, we routinely develop and apply cutting-edge approaches, including conditional genetics, CRISPR-based gene editing, and in vivo time lapse.

The ideal candidate will have experience in molecular biology as documented through publication record. Expertise with genome editing in model systems is welcome and experience with model organisms is preferred. Applicants must be highly motivated and technically accomplished as documented by exceptional publication record. Only applicants accepted for initial consideration will be subsequently contacted for letters of reference.

Send related inquiries to:
Nathan

D. Lawson, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology
University of Massachusetts Medical School
nathan.lawson