Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Dr. Ron Evans
About the role
The Evans Laboratory at the Salk Institute seeks to understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate pancreatic islet development, function, and survival, and to translate these discoveries into new therapeutic approaches for diabetes. Our research integrates human pluripotent stem cell biology, genome engineering, organoid differentiation, and transplantation models to develop functional and immune-protected insulin-producing cells. We are currently seeking a highly motivated junior postdoctoral fellow to join a research program supported by a newly awarded five-year NIH R01 grant. The successful candidate will study the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into pancreatic beta cells and islet-like organoids and evaluate their function, immune compatibility, and therapeutic potential in vitro and through transplantation in preclinical diabetes models. The candidate will develop and optimize protocols for pancreatic progenitor and beta-cell differentiation, characterize stem cell-derived islet cells using molecular and functional assays, and perform islet transplantation studies. The project may also involve genome editing and the development of immune-evasive human islet-like organoids for cell replacement therapy. The postdoctoral fellow will join a multidisciplinary team of stem cell biologists, molecular biologists, genome engineers, and diabetes researchers working to advance stem cell-derived islet replacement therapies toward clinical translation.
Requirements
- Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in stem cell biology, developmental biology, diabetes research, bioengineering, or a related field.
- Prior experience with human embryonic stem cells or i