Postdoc Rna Biology Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Posting Number
req26354
Department
Cellular & Molecular Medicine
Department Website Link
https://cmm.arizona.edu/
Location
Tucson Campus
Address
1501 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719 USA
Position Highlights
The Romanoski Laboratory at the University of Arizona invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in vascular genomics and systems genetics. Our research program uses integrative genomics approaches to define the molecular mechanisms by which genetic variation shapes endothelial cell biology and confers risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) and microvascular dysfunction. The successful candidate will join a collaborative, scientifically rigorous environment at the intersection of vascular cell biology, chromatin biology, and human genetics.
This position offers hands-on training in state-of-the-art experimental and computational methods, including single-cell genomics, chromatin profiling, quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, and integration with large-scale biobank resources. The postdoc will contribute to active NIH-funded projects focused on shear stress-responsive RNAs and endothelial genetic mediators of microvascular dysfunction, with opportunities to develop independent research directions.

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!
The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocation services, please click here.
Duties & Responsibilities
The laboratory combines human endothelial cell culture andperturbation systems with genomic discovery tools to dissect how geneticvariation at CAD-associated loci operates through the vessel wall.
Activeresearch areas include:

• eQTL and splicing QTL (sQTL) mapping in human aortic and microvascular endothelial cells under physiological flow conditions.
• Single-cell RNA sequencing and chromatin accessibility profiling across genetically diverse donor populations.
• Colocalization of endothelial molecular QTLs with GWAS signals for CAD, blood pressure, and related vascular traits.
• Integration with population-scale biobanks including UK Biobank, MVP, and All of Us.
• Functional characterization of candidate effector genes emerging from colocalization, including surface proteins and splicing regulators operating through the hemodynamic flow-regulated transcriptional program.

Primary Job Duties Include:

• Design and execute experiments using primary human endothelial cells hemodynamicshear stress conditions.
• Prepare and QC sequencing libraries including bulk RNA-seq, small RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, and single-cell libraries.
• Perform genome-scale quantiative trait locus (QTL) mapping analyses and genetic colocalization with genome wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics.
• Analyze single-cell and bulk genomics datasets using standard and custom bioinformatics pipelines.
• Contribute to grant writing, manuscript preparation, and presentations at national conferences.
• Mentor and support graduate students and other members of the laboratory.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability operating shear stress devices (cone-and-plate and parallel-plate systems) in a laboratory setting.
• Proficiency in sequencing library preparation, including bulk RNA-seq, small RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, and single-cell sequencing protocols (10x Genomics and sci-RNA-seq3).
• Knowledge of genetic colocalization methods using GWAS and molecular QTL summary statistics.
• Working knowledge of large-scale biobank resources, particularly the All of Us Research Program and phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) frameworks.
• Biological knowledge of vascular cell types, endothelial function, and the pathobiology of atherosclerosis.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in human genetics, genomics, molecular biology, cell biology, or a closely related field, conferred prior to the start date.
• At least one first-author publication in a peer-reviewed journal in genetics, genomics, or vascular/cell biology.
• Demonstrated experience with next-generation sequencing data analysis, including RNA-seq or single-cell RNA-seq.
• Proficiency in at least one scripting or programming language used in genomics (R, Python, or Bash/Unix).
• Experience with primary mammalian cell culture in a BSL-2 laboratory setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will have a combination of experimental and computational expertise that spans the full arc from bench to genome-scale analysis.

The following qualifications are strongly preferred:

• Experience culturing primary human endothelial cells, including aortic or microvascular subtypes.
• Experience with CRISPR-based functional assays or other molecular perturbation approaches in human cell lines.
• Single-cell genomics analysis experience spanning preprocessing, dimensionality reduction, clustering, differential expression, and batch effect correction.
• VCF management, genotype processing, and whole-genome sequencing data handling.
• Experience with QTL mapping (eQTL, sQTL, caQTL) including pipeline development and interpretation of cis-regulatory results.
• Strong publication record in genetics or vascular biology, with contributions to high-impact journals.
• Experience presenting original research at national scientific conferences (e.g., ASHG, NAVBO, AHA).
• History of mentoring junior researchers (undergraduate or graduate students) in laboratory or computational settings.

FLSA
Exempt
Full Time/Part Time
Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week
40
Job FTE
1
Work Calendar
Fiscal
Job Category
Research
Benefits Eligible
Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay
NIH salary guidelines, Depends on Experience
Compensation Type
salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Type of criminal background check required:
Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Number of Vacancies
1
Target Hire Date
Expected End Date
Contact Information for Candidates
Dr Casey Romanoski,cromanoski@arizona.edu
Open Date
6/25/2026
Open Until Filled
Yes
Documents Needed to Apply
Curriculum Vitae (CV), Cover Letter, and One Additional Document
Special Instructions to Applicant
Documents needed to apply:

• A cover letter describing your research background, relevant experience, and motivation for joining the laboratory. (2 pages maximum)
• A current curriculum vitae including a full publication list.
• Contact information for three professional references.

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In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.