Postdoctoral Researcher in Chromatin Biology and Neuroscience
About the role
Faculty Mentor: Elizabeth A Heller, Ph.D. Department: Pharmacology (SPATT). Funding Source: PI Grant. Number of Positions: 2. Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and foreign nationals. Open Date: Aug 13, 2026.
The Heller Lab studies the mechanisms by which epigenetic remodeling regulates gene function, in the context of neuropsychiatric diseases such as addiction and depression. To approach this problem, we directly manipulate histone and DNA modifications at specific genes in vivo, using viral delivery of novel epigenetic editing tools, such as CRISPR/dCas9-fusion proteins. The Perelman School of Medicine is a world leader in biomedical research, boasting over $800M in annual research funding and ranked third nationwide among the best medical schools in research. The Heller Lab is a member of the Penn Epigenetics Institute and Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, and is housed with the Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics (SPATT). For further information see http://www.med.upenn.edu/hellerlab/.
Current Projects Include:
- Histone methyltransferase, Setd2, in substance use disorders, R01DA064336
- Epigenetic mechanisms of sustained transcription across cocaine abstinence, R01DA052465-06
- Sex- and hormone-dependent differences in memory vulnerability to acute traumatic stress, R01MH139931-01
- Epigenetic regulation of Cdk5 in cognition and emotion, R01MH126027-04
Qualifications
- PhD, MD or MD/PhD required.
- Expertise in chromatin biology, neurobiology and/or molecular biology is required.
- Knowledge of protein biochemistry, chromatin biology, and/or bioinformatics (including mathematics and computational biology), behavior, are encouraged.
Pay
Competitive salary > NIH minimum.