Location
ST. LOUIS, MO 63110
Position Summary
The Woo Lab within the Division of Cardiology and Department of Pediatrics at WashU Medicine in St. Louis is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate the mechanisms of Group 3 hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension and develop strategies to prevent or reverse pulmonary vascular remodeling. We study how chronic hypoxia disrupts vascular homeostasis and reprograms endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, pericytes, and fibroblasts, leading to elevated pulmonary pressures and right ventricular dysfunction. By integrating mechanistic studies in genetic mouse models and patient-derived human samples with single-cell genomics and preclinical therapeutic testing, we aim to identify conserved, actionable disease pathways.
Current Research Directions:
* Define the molecular mechanisms that regulate pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cell and pericyte plasticity, differentiation, and maladaptive remodeling.
* Investigate endothelial dysfunction and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition during chronic hypoxia and pulmonary vascular disease.
* Determine how FGF and other growth-factor signaling pathways control vascular cell identity, inflammation, and intercellular communication.
* Apply single-cell RNA sequencing, single-nucleus multiomics, spatial transcriptomics, and computational analysis to identify disease-associated vascular cell states.
* Validate candidate pathways using mouse genetics, human vascular cells, induced pluripotent stem cell-derived models, and clinically relevant human samples.
* Develop targeted nanoparticle platforms and mechanism-based therapeuticstrategies to prevent or reverse pulmonary vascular remodeling and treat pulmonary hypertension.
Role and Mentorship:
The postdoctoral researcher will lead a mechanistically focused project and have substantial opportunity to shape its scientific direction, establish new experimental or computational approaches, build interdisciplinary collaborations, and develop an independent research niche. Individualized mentorship will support rigorous study design, scientific communication, fellowship development, leadership, and career advancement.
Research Environment:
WashU Medicine provides state-of-the-art core facilities, human translational research resources, and a broad collaborative community spanning cardiovascular and pulmonary medicine, pediatrics, genomics, pathology, and bioengineering.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Information on being a postdoc at WashU in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/ .
Trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor including (but not limited to):
Assist with grant preparation and reporting.
Prepare and submit research papers.
Assist in the design of research studies and the evaluation and reporting of findings.
Conduct research conscientiously and in accordance with ethical standards and good laboratory practice, including maintenance of accurate research records.
Engage in open and timely discussion with their mentor regarding the possession or distribution of laboratory materials, reagents, or records and any proposed disclosure of findings or techniques.
Maintain collegial conduct toward co-trainees, staff members, collaborators, and other members of the research group.
Adhere to all applicable University policies, procedures, and regulations. All data, research records, materials, and other intellectual property generated in University laboratories remain the property of the University.
Working Conditions:
Works in a laboratory and computational research environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards.
The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.
May handle human cells, tissues, or other biospecimens in accordance with approved institutional protocols.
May perform experiments involving research animals and assist with…