Postdoctoral Scientist - Cardiovascular Research

Postdoctoral Scientist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Ohio State University

A fulltime postdoctoral position is immediately available in Dr. Deqiang Li’s Laboratory, in the Center for Cardiovascular Research at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) Research Institute, Ohio State University. This position is supported by a NIH-R01 grant.

Research in my laboratory is focused on understanding the mechanisms of cardiovascular development, disease, and regeneration. For more details, please visit our lab website: and read our recent paper on Circ Res, 2022 (PMID: 35722872), Nature Communications, 2024 (PMID: 38755146), and Circulation, 2025 (PMID: 38755146). In particular, we are interested in identifying the novel signaling pathways that regulate myocardial development or govern cardiomyocyte differentiation and maturation by using in vitro and in vivo approaches. Note: the PI strongly supports trainee career development. For instance, his first postdoc recruited in 2018 successfully was awarded an American Heart Association Career Development Award in 2023, and a NIH-R01grant in 2025. She already started her own independent lab in 2025.

Cell and mouse model systems, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and conditional gene knockouts will be used in these research projects. Many state-of-the-art techniques are employed, such as single cell RNA-Seq and ChIP Seq, CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing, AAV, confocal microscopy, multicolor flow and sorting, surgical models, ultrasonic and telemetric measurements of cardiovascular function in mice.

The Ohio State University is ranked 32nd in U.S. News and World Report's 2021 rankings of "Best Medical Schools: Primary Care", and 30th in "Best Medical Schools: Research". As of 2020, Nationwide Children's Hospital has placed nationally in all 10 ranked pediatric specialties on U.S. News & World Report. For 2020–2021 the hospital was ranked as the #8 best children's hospital in the United States by U.S. The NCH has a group of outstanding scientists in cardiovascular research, especially in cardiovascular cell signaling, development and regeneration. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work with them and get help in developing an independent career in this research field.

Applicants must have a PhD, MD or equivalent degree within last 3 years, and proven skills and experience in molecular biology, mouse genetics or generation of cardiac surgical models in mice. We are seeking talented and self-motivated postdoctoral candidates with a good work ethic, and a strong interest in cardiovascular development and regeneration.  Candidates with background and experience in molecular biology are preferred.  Good writing and oral communication skills in English are required as well as the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

NCH strictly follows the NIH guidelines for postdoc salaries. Interested candidates should send your CV and contact information for three references. Please send your application to Dr. Deqiang Li: View email address on nature.com.  Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.