Postdoctoral Associate - Disney Lab

About the Role

The Disney group in the Department of Chemistry at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate in RNA Chemical Biology. The lab focuses on developing rational approaches to design highly selective therapeutics from genome sequence, with a strong emphasis on targeting RNA by small molecules for chemical probe and lead medicine development.

Lab Overview

The Disney group is a chemical biology laboratory known for its prolific output and pioneering research culture. Key advancements include annotating RNA structure from sequence and developing novel in-house technologies. The lab’s work is highlighted in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery (2023) and spans RNA repeat expansions, targeted RNA degradation, and precision therapeutics for difficult-to-treat diseases.

Representative Publications

• Disease mediated by RNA repeat expansions (ALS and dementia):
  • Science Translation Medicine (2021) 13:eabd5991
  • Neuron (2014) 83:1043-50
  • Cell Chemical Biology (2019) 26:179-190
• Targeted RNA degradation and related technologies:
  • Nature Reviews Drug Discovery (2023) 618(7963): 169–179
  • Journal of the American Chemical Society (2021) 143:13044-13055
  • Science Translation Medicine (2021) 13:eabd5991
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (2020) 117:2406-2411
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (2019) 116:7799-7804
  • Journal of the American Chemical Society (2018) 140:6741-6744
  • Nature Chemical Biology (2017) 13:188-193
• Precision targeted therapeutics for cancers and other diseases:
  • Journal of the American Chemical Society (2019) 141:2960-2974
  • Cell Chemical Biology (2018) 25:1086-1094
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (2016) 113:5898-903
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (2020) 117:1457-1467

Requirements

• Completed Ph.D. degree in structural biology, chemical biology, or organic/medicinal chemistry.

Qualifications

• Required:
  • Ph.D. in structural biology, chemical biology, or organic/medicinal chemistry.
• Preferred:
  • Strong skills in RNA biology techniques, molecular biology, and biochemical methods.
  • Experience with RNA-seq data analysis, DNA-encoded library design and screening, or structure-based design.
  • High-impact publication record and a strong academic track record.
  • Team-player mentality and willingness to learn new methods.
  • Interest in targeting the RNA world.

Professional Development

The Disney group is committed to each individual’s professional development. A high-impact research project and customized training plan will be designed to support both short-term and long-term career goals.