Postdoctoral Research Scientist

The Zaccara Lab at Columbia University is actively recruiting for a Postdoctoral Research Scientist. We seek highly motivated and creative candidates who can fit in an energic, interactive, and interdisciplinary lab environment.

The Zaccara lab is a newly established lab in the Department of Systems Biology at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC). CUIMC provides world-class leadership in scientific research, health and medical education and patient care. The hosting department is an interdisciplinary program whose goal is to advance the integration of quantitative and experimental research methods in the biological and biomedical sciences. Together with the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) and New-York Presbyterian (NYP), CUIMC provides the ideal combination of world-class facilities, resources, and collaborative research opportunities to the next generation of scientific leaders.

The lab's main goal is to tackle fundamental biological questions on the mechanisms that govern mRNA degradation. We are interested in: (1) the characterization of the mechanisms triggering m6A mRNA degradation in normal and disease states with a particular focus on acute myeloid leukemia; and (2) on the impact of the functional specialization of RNA binding proteins on mRNA fate. To do this, the lab employs a multi-disciplinary approach, combining cutting-edge CRISPR-Cas9 base editor screens, innovative massively parallel tethering screen approaches, molecular tagging, imaging, and in vitro experiments with advanced data analyses. The integrated combination of these methodologies will interrogate critical components of the mRNA degradation pathway for their contribution to mRNA fate, with unprecedented throughput and resolution.

Responsibilities:

• Conceptualization, designing and independent execution of novel strategies to streamline aims of ongoing or proposed projects
• Take an active part in lab meetings, sharing and improving the knowledge of the team and obtaining information relevant to the team's goals
• Provides expert input and guidance to junior lab members
• Active fostering of cooperative projects with lab members and external collaborators
• Provide support to grant proposals with internal and external collaborators
• Help with lab organization and other support duties relating to lab operations, as required

Qualifications

Please email your CV, a summary of prior research and future interests, and the contact details for three references to sz3145@cumc.columbia.edu.

Informal inquiries are welcomed and can be directed to the same email address.