Postdoctoral Researcher Human Motor Neuron Identity

Postdoctoral Researcher Human Motor Neuron Identity

The Smith Lab invites applications for an exceptional Postdoctoral Researcher to join our newly established group investigating the mechanisms of motor neuron development, from C. elegans to humans. Using terminal selector transcription factors as an entry point, our lab asks how post-mitotic neurons acquire and maintain their identities across a lifetime and what happens when that identity fails.

The successful candidate will lead a research program investigating the transcriptional basis of motor neuron identity in human ESC-derived motor neurons, with relevance to neurodevelopmental disorders and motor neuron disease. This is a foundational line of research for the lab, and the person who takes it on will have real ownership over its direction. This position offers exceptional opportunities for scientific independence. The successful candidate will direct and manage a brand-new tissue culture room dedicated solely to this project, shape the experimental strategy from an early stage, and receive active mentorship toward an independent career in academia or an advanced research role in industry.

Qualifications: A PhD (awarded, or within ~6 months of completion) in neuroscience, stem cell or developmental biology, molecular/cell biology, genetics, or a related field. Demonstrated hands-on expertise maintaining and differentiating human pluripotent stem cells (hESCs and/or iPSCs) into neural/neuronal lineages. At least one first-author publication (published, in press, or preprint) demonstrating the ability to carry a project to completion.

Job Specific Qualifications: Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present work at meetings and contribute to manuscripts and grants. Training or strong interest in developmental biology and neuroscience. As an early member of a growing lab, the applicant should expect to help shape lab culture, mentor PhD students, and contribute to a collaborative research environment. Preferred: publications or hands-on experience in motor neuron differentiation, developmental biology, and/or transcriptomic and genomic approaches (e.g., RNA-seq, scRNA-seq, ATAC-seq, CUT&RUN/ChIP-seq).

Responsibilities: Perform research tasks as outlined by project needs and the principal investigator. This primarily includes designing, performing, and analyzing experiments. Disseminate findings through publications, conferences, and seminar presentations. Co-mentor graduate students. Other duties as assigned.