Postdoctoral Scientist - Lupu Lab

About the Role

The Lupu Lab is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scientist to join its multidisciplinary research team. The laboratory investigates the biological processes that regulate blood clotting at the interface between circulating blood and the vascular wall, with a particular emphasis on cardiovascular disease. Research integrates clinically relevant animal models, experimental pathology, physiological monitoring, histopathology, immunocytochemistry, electron microscopy, molecular biology, and biochemical assays. A central focus is understanding the mechanisms of hemostasis and vascular dysfunction.

This is a mentored postdoctoral training position designed to support the development of independent research skills, scientific leadership, and expertise in laboratory and project management.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, conduct, and interpret scientific research experiments.
• Develop and test research hypotheses using appropriate experimental and analytical methods.
• Manage assigned research projects, including timelines, documentation, data quality, and coordination with collaborators.
• Participate in the ex vivo analysis research group and contribute to the evaluation of previously collected tissues and biological samples.
• Conduct in vitro cell culture experiments and biochemical and molecular biology assays.
• Perform confocal and fluorescence microscopy and analyze microscopy data.
• Conduct histopathological, immunocytochemical, and other tissue-based analyses.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present experimental findings.
• Maintain accurate and complete laboratory records.
• Prepare manuscripts, abstracts, reports, posters, and presentations for publication and scientific meetings.
• Contribute to grant proposals and future research planning.
• Develop fellowship applications and pursue independent funding opportunities.
• Participate in laboratory management activities and develop progressive competency in research laboratory operations.
• Provide guidance to junior scientists and research staff.
• Collaborate effectively with investigators, laboratory personnel, and interdisciplinary research partners.
• Process, integrate, and analyze single-nucleus RNA sequencing data.
• Conduct cell clustering, annotation, differential expression, pathway, and network analyses.
• Develop and maintain reproducible bioinformatics workflows.
• Apply statistical, machine-learning, and visualization methods to complex biological datasets.
• Integrate transcriptomic results with experimental, pathological, and physiological findings.
• Document analytical methods, code, results, and data-processing decisions.
• Perform other research-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in a biological science, chemistry, physics or other relevant area, M.D., or equivalent.
• Knowledge of scientific theory, research principles, and experimental practices.
• Demonstrated ability to formulate and test scientific hypotheses.
• Ability to independently conduct research experiments and analyze, interpret, and summarize data.
• Strong scientific and technical writing skills, including the ability to contribute to manuscripts, reports, fellowship applications, and grant proposals.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to mentor students and guide the work of junior scientists.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative research environment.
• Demonstrated potential to assume leadership and laboratory-management responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cell culture, biochemical assays, molecular biology techniques, tissue analysis, or microscopy.
• Experience analyzing single-cell or single-nucleus RNA sequencing data.
• Advanced programming and computational skills using tools such as Python, R, or MATLAB.
• Experience with bioinformatics platforms and pipelines, including Seurat, Scanpy, and hdWGCNA.
• Knowledge of machine-learning methods and their application to biological data.
• Experience with Bayesian statistical analysis, including the use of JASP or comparable statistical software.
• Experience developing reproducible computational workflows and managing large biological datasets.
• Evidence of scientific productivity through peer-reviewed publications, presentations, or research awards.

Professional Development

The Postdoctoral Scientist will receive mentorship in:

• Independent experimental design and scientific reasoning.
• Manuscript preparation and scientific communication.
• Grant and fellowship writing.
• Research project and laboratory management.
• Mentoring and supervision of junior researchers.
• Development of an independent research program and long-term career goals.

About the Organization

Founded in 1946, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is among the nation’s oldest, most respected independent, nonprofit biomedical research institutes. OMRF is dedicated to understanding and developing more effective treatments for human diseases, focusing on critical research areas such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. OMRF follows an innovative cross-disciplinary approach to medical research and ranks among the nation’s leaders in patents per scientist.

Located in Oklahoma City, a city that offers a dynamic and flourishing downtown area, low cost of living, short commute times, and a diversified economy, OMRF has been voted one of the Top Workplaces since the inception of the award.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries.
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Minimum 8% company retirement contribution.
• Vacation and sick leave, and paid holidays.
• Access to onsite café and free onsite fitness center with personal trainer.
• Free parking.
• Relocation assistance available for those located 50 miles outside of Oklahoma City metro.