Postdoctoral Research Associate, Cellular and Molecular Medicine

The Romanoski Laboratory at the University of Arizona invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in vascular genomics and systems genetics. Our research program uses integrative genomics approaches to define the molecular mechanisms by which genetic variation shapes endothelial cell biology and confers risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) and microvascular dysfunction. The successful candidate will join a collaborative, scientifically rigorous environment at the intersection of vascular cell biology, chromatin biology, and human genetics.

This position offers hands-on training in state-of-the-art experimental and computational methods, including single-cell genomics, chromatin profiling, quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, and integration with large-scale biobank resources. The postdoc will contribute to active NIH-funded projects focused on shear stress-responsive RNAs and endothelial genetic mediators of microvascular dysfunction, with opportunities to develop independent research directions.

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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The laboratory combines human endothelial cell culture and
perturbation systems with genomic discovery tools to dissect how genetic
variation at CAD-associated loci operates through the vessel wall.

Active
research areas include:

• eQTL and splicing QTL (sQTL) mapping in human aortic and microvascular endothelial cells under physiological flow conditions.
• Single-cell RNA sequencing and chromatin accessibility profiling across genetically diverse donor populations.
• Colocalization of endothelial molecular QTLs with GWAS signals for CAD, blood pressure, and related vascular traits.
• Integration with population-scale biobanks including UK Biobank, MVP, and All of Us.
• Functional characterization of candidate effector genes emerging from colocalization, including surface proteins and splicing regulators operating through the hemodynamic flow-regulated transcriptional program.

Primary Job Duties Include:

• Design and execute experiments using primary human endothelial cells hemodynamic
  shear stress conditions.
• Prepare and QC sequencing libraries including bulk RNA-seq, small RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, and single-cell libraries.
• Perform genome-scale quantiative trait locus (QTL) mapping analyses and genetic colocalization with genome wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics.
• Analyze single-cell and bulk genomics datasets using standard and custom bioinformatics pipelines.
• Contribute to grant writing, manuscript preparation, and presentations at national conferences.
• Mentor and support graduate students and other members of the laboratory.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability operating shear stress devices (cone-and-plate and parallel-plate systems) in a laboratory setting.
• Proficiency in sequencing library preparation, including bulk RNA-seq, small RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, and single-cell sequencing protocols (10x Genomics and sci-RNA-seq3).
• Knowledge of genetic colocalization methods using GWAS and molecular QTL summary statistics.
• Working knowledge of large-scale biobank resources, particularly the All of Us Research Program and phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) frameworks.
• Biological knowledge of vascular cell types, endothelial function, and the pathobiology of atherosclerosis.

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in human genetics, genomics, molecular biology, cell biology, or a closely related field, conferred prior to the start date.
• At least one first-author publication in a peer-reviewed journal in genetics, genomics, or vascular/cell biology.
• Demonstrated experience with next-generation sequencing data analysis, including RNA-seq or single-cell RNA-seq.
• Proficiency in at least one scripting or programming language used in genomics (R, Python, or Bash/Unix).
• Experience with primary mammalian cell culture in a BSL-2 laboratory setting.

• The ideal candidate will have a combination of experimental and computational expertise that spans the full arc from bench to genome-scale analysis.

• Experience culturing primary human endothelial cells, including aortic or microvascular subtypes.
• Experience with CRISPR-based functional assays or other molecular perturbation approaches in human cell lines.
• Single-cell genomics analysis experience spanning preprocessing, dimensionality reduction, clustering, differential expression, and batch effect correction.
• VCF management, genotype processing, and whole-genome sequencing data handling.
• Experience with QTL mapping (eQTL, sQTL, caQTL) including pipeline development and interpretation of cis-regulatory results.
• Strong publication record in genetics or vascular biology, with contributions to high-impact journals.
• Experience presenting original research at national scientific conferences (e.g., ASHG, NAVBO, AHA).
• History of mentoring junior researchers (undergraduate or graduate students) in laboratory or computational settings.

• A cover letter describing your research background, relevant experience, and motivation for joining the laboratory. (2 pages maximum)
• A current curriculum vitae including a full publication list.
• Contact information for three professional references.