Postdoctoral Fellow - Skeletal Muscle Biology

Join the forefront of groundbreaking research at the Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, where we''re changing lives and making a real difference in the fight against cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening illnesses. Our dedicated and compassionate faculty and staff are driven by a common mission: Contribute to innovative approaches in predicting, preventing, and curing diseases, shaping the future of medicine through cutting-edge research.

We are seeking a highly motivated and creative Postdoctoral Fellow to join our multidisciplinary research program investigating the molecular mechanisms by which the circadian clock regulates skeletal muscle physiology, regeneration, metabolism, and muscular dystrophy. Our laboratory integrates molecular biology, genomics, pharmacology, mouse genetics, and physiology to identify fundamental mechanisms controlling muscle stem cell function and to develop innovative therapeutic strategies for muscle diseases.

You will lead independent research projects while working collaboratively within a highly interactive laboratory environment. Current research areas include:

• Circadian regulation of skeletal muscle regeneration and stem cell biology
• Transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms governing skeletal muscle remodeling
• Drug discovery and development of small-molecule modulators targeting circadian clock
• Circadian mechanisms underlying Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy for clock-targeted therapy
• In vivo evaluation of clock-targeting molecules in muscle disease models

Our laboratory values scientific curiosity, integrity, collaboration, and mentorship. We seek candidates who enjoy working in a team-oriented environment, openly sharing ideas and expertise while maintaining scientific rigor. Successful applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary and collaborative research.
• Willingness to mentor junior trainees and contribute to a positive laboratory culture.
• Commitment to reproducible and rigorous science.
• Ability to work productively with collaborators across diverse scientific disciplines, including molecular biology, genomics, physiology, computational biology, medicinal chemistry, and translational medicine.

This position provides outstanding opportunities for scientific independence, professional development, collaboration with leading investigators, and publication in high-impact journals. Candidates interested in pursuing independent academic or biotechnology careers are especially encouraged to apply.

As a successful candidate, you will:

• Design, execute, and interpret mechanistic studies addressing fundamental questions in circadian biology and skeletal muscle regeneration.
• Perform molecular, cellular, and in vivo experiments using genetically engineered mouse models and disease models of muscular dystrophy.
• Apply genomic and biochemical approaches to define transcriptional regulatory mechanisms controlling muscle stem cell function.
• Develop and evaluate pharmacological strategies targeting circadian pathways for muscle repair and disease treatment.
• Analyze large-scale datasets, including RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, and single-cell or single-nucleus sequencing data.
• Present research findings at laboratory meetings, scientific conferences, and national/international meetings.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in leading scientific journals and contribute to grant applications.
• Mentor graduate students and junior trainees while fostering an inclusive and collaborative laboratory culture.

Your qualifications should include:

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Physiology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Strong publication record demonstrating scientific productivity and independent research accomplishments.
• Expertise in at least several of the following areas:

o Skeletal muscle biology or stem cell biology

o Gene regulation and transcriptional biology

o Molecular pharmacology

o Mouse genetics

o Circadian biology

o Signal transduction

• Experience with standard biochemical, molecular and cellular biology techniques, including gene expression analysis, cloning, CRISPR-based approaches, protein biochemistry, and microscopy.
• Mastery of in vivo mouse studies is a plus.

Preferred qualification:

Candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas are particularly encouraged to apply:

• Skeletal muscle regeneration or muscular dystrophy models
• Satellite cell biology and stem cell lineage analysis
• In vivo mouse physiology, including muscle injury and functional assessment
• Chromatin biology, transcription factor function, or epigenomics
• Drug screening, medicinal chemistry collaborations, or small-molecule mechanism-of-action studies
• Metabolic phenotyping and whole-animal physiology

City of Hope employees pay is based on the following criteria: work experience, qualifications, and work location.

City of Hope is an equal opportunity employer.

To learn more about our Comprehensive Benefits, please CLICK HERE.