Postdoctoral Scholar

Department: MED-Cell&DevelopmentalBiology
Salary/Grade: RES/

Job Summary

The Ozbudak Lab is looking for a postdoctoral fellow interested in combining multidisciplinary approaches to discover biophysical mechanisms governing spatiotemporal pattern formation during embryonic development.

Embryos develop spatiotemporal patterns by encoding and interpreting biological signals in real time. Despite unavoidable fluctuations in gene expression and cell signaling, embryonic development is robust and reproducible. A striking example of robust spatiotemporal patterning is the rhythmic segmentation of somites, which are precursors of the vertebral column. Segmentation of somites is controlled by: 1) oscillatory expression of the vertebrate segmentation clock genes, 2) short-distance Notch signaling, 3) long-distance Fg and Wnt signaling gradients, 4) a network of transcription factors integrating outputs of the segmentation clock and the signaling pathways, and 5) cytoskeletal and biomechanical processes executing physical formation of segment boundaries. Errors in this regulatory cascade result in various birth defects, including congenital scoliosis. We combine single-cell microscopy measurements, time-resolved perturbation experiments, biophysical modeling, and computational simulations to decipher the mechanism underlying robust spatiotemporal pattern formation and cell fate determination.

Relevant publications: Nature 2021 589:431-436; Nature 2023 613:153-159. Dev Cell 2024.

We are looking for a colleague who is highly motivated and independent. Please send a cover letter detailing your past research accomplishments and future research goals, and your CV by email to: ozbudak@northwestern.edu

Specific Responsibilities:

• Recruits study participants.
• Independent lab research, gaining new research skills
• Grant writing and Paper Publications
• Contributing to lab efforts, and participating in lab meetings
• Observation of proper guidelines within the lab

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances) For this section, only list the minimum requirements needed to perform the work, and leave the 'desired or nice to have' qualifications for the 'Preferred Qualifications' section. The education, work experience, skills, abilities, licenses/certifications should all directly relate to the job's responsibilities.

• PhD
• Experience in - Confocal microscopy and image analysis OR Biomechanics and biophysics

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