Postdoctoral Associate - Tandem Repeat Biology

Summary

A postdoctoral position is available in Dr. Graham Erwin's laboratory in the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine. Our lab investigates the functional role of repetitive DNA sequences in human health and disease, with a focus on tandem repeat expansions and the disorders they cause. The lab is seeking a talented and motivated postdoctoral fellow to lead biochemical and biophysical studies of next-generation DNA-binding ligands designed to target tandem repeat sequences with single-locus specificity. The Postdoctoral Associate will use molecular biology, biochemical reconstitution, and single-molecule biophysics to characterize ligand-DNA interactions, dissect their effects on DNA repair and replication at repeat loci, and test functional consequences in cellular models of repeat expansion disease.

Job Duties

• Clones, expresses, and purifies multi-protein complexes for in vitro reconstitution of DNA repair and replication reactions on repeat-containing substrates.
• Designs and executes biochemical assays (DNase footprinting, EMSA, fluorescence-based binding assays) to characterize DNA-binding ligands targeting tandem repeats.
• Applies single-molecule biophysical approaches (total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, magnetic tweezers) to study protein-DNA interactions and ligand effects on repeat dynamics.
• Uses genome-wide binding assays (e.g., COSMIC-seq, CUT&RUN) to validate single-locus specificity of DNA-binding ligands in cellular contexts.
• Tests functional effects of DNA-targeting molecules in cellular and patient-derived models of repeat expansion disorders such as Huntington's disease.
• Collaborates with synthetic chemistry team members; provide biochemical feedback that guides next-generation ligand design.
• Presents research findings at lab meetings, conferences, and in peer-reviewed publications.
• Assists in the preparation of grant proposals and scientific manuscripts.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• MD or Ph.D. in Basic Science, Health Science, or a related field.
• No experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Genetics, or a related field.
• Strong experience in molecular cloning, protein expression, and protein purification of multi-protein complexes.
• Experience with tandem repeats, repeat expansion disorders, or DNA mismatch repair.
• Experience with single-molecule biophysical techniques such as TIRF microscopy or magnetic tweezers.
• Experience with synthetic chemistry of DNA-binding ligands (e.g., polyamides) is a plus but not required.
• Programming skills in Python, R, or MATLAB for data analysis and instrument control.
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications in molecular biology, biochemistry, or biophysics.