Research Postdoctoral Fellow - Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDG)

A Brief Overview

Assume responsibility for an on-going, innovative research project as a Postdoctoral Fellow at CHOP. Our postdoc experience will broaden your skillset, scientific background, and research capabilities.

CHOP's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
CHOP is committed to building an inclusive culture where employees feel a sense of belonging, connection, and community within their workplace. We are a team dedicated to fostering an environment that allows for all to be their authentic selves. We are focused on attracting, cultivating, and retaining diverse talent who can help us deliver on our mission to be a world leader in the advancement of healthcare for children.

We strongly encourage all candidates of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

About the Laboratory

The congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are a group of rare genetic disorders that disrupt the cellular glycosylation machinery. Affected patients exhibit severe neurological deficits. Despite being an essential post-translational modification, the roles of glycosylation in protein function are highly complex and remain poorly understood. The genetic basis of CDG provides an opportunity to identify the neurobiological functions of glycosylation using mouse models and glycoproteomics. In tandem, an understanding of glycosylation in the nervous system will help to elucidate the pathophysiology of CDG, enabling therapeutic advances.

Dr. Andrew Edmondson is an enthusiastic new PI who seeks a postdoctoral fellow to help uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying dysfunctional glycosylation in mouse and cellular models of CDG. The successful candidate will be self-motivated and hard-working, with strong molecular biology skills (Western blot, qPCR, cell culture), as well as prior experience working with mice and an experimental background in glycobiology or neuroscience. Prior experience with survival stereotaxic surgery in mice for EEG lead implantation or viral vector delivery, other mouse survival surgery techniques, mouse behavioral analysis, or experience with iPSCs and neuronal differentiations is highly valued.

The postdoctoral fellow will be responsible for their own research project investigating a specific human genetic disease of dysfunctional glycosylation (i.e., CDG). Work will largely focus on molecular investigations in tissues and cells derived from mice and affected human patients. Transformative discoveries in basic and translational glycobiology are anticipated.

Postdocs will be expected to participate in project planning, recording and interpretation/evaluation of data, and communication of results. Postdocs will also be expected to acquire technical, lab management, and manuscript/grant writing skills; and participate in seminars, lectures, poster sessions and presentations at national meetings. Postdoctoral fellows also may be required to supervise junior lab members, develop new methods and protocols for research (such as enzymatic assays), and assist with the development of other research projects in the lab.

Responsibilities

• Participate in project planning, recording, and evaluation of data.

• Conduct independent scholarly research, developing new methods and protocols under the guidance of a mentor (principal investigator).

• Acquire technical, lab management, and grant writing skills.

• Participate in seminars, lectures, poster sessions, national presentations, and professional workshops.

• Supervise junior lab members.

• Assist with other research projects as needed.

Education

• Required: Doctorate