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Research Positions in Reproductive Genomics

Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Sponsored by the Training Program in Reproductive Genomics (NICHD). Two postdoctoral fellowships are available within the Cornell Center for Reproductive Genomics, a campus-wide center encompassing multiple departments throughout the Campus. Situated in picturesque Ithaca, NY, Cornell University boasts unprecedented core facilities and opportunities for collaborative interactions in an atmosphere that supports and nurtures young biomedical scientists of the highest caliber. Center members also enjoy highly productive collaborations with clinician scientists at the Weill Cornell Medical College .

We are actively seeking the best quality postdoctoral candidates to compete for one of two postdoctoral fellowships and who may choose from one of many exciting projects available within the reproductive biology community. Competitive salary and benefits packages will be offered within the NIH scale, with salaries commensurate with the successful candidate's experience.

To Apply:

Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents to satisfy training grant requirements. Please send your cover letter, curriculum vitae, and a brief description (2-3 pages) of your research experience to: Dr. Mark Roberson, Training Grant Director and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853. Applications should be submitted electronically to reprogenomics@cornell.edu. In addition, please arrange to have three letters of reference sent electronically to the same address. Applications and letters must be received no later than March 1st, 2013.

Cornell University is an equal opportunity employer.


PROJECTS:

Genetic variation in germline stem cells (lab of Chip Aquadro):
relevant projects include the use of evolutionary diversification to
understand molecular and evolutionary processes that modulate
fertilization and regulate germ line stem cell maintenance and
differentiation in Drosophila. http://mbg.cornell.edu/cals/mbg/
research/aquadro-lab/index.cfm

Genomic and bioinformatics approaches for addressing
evolutionary hypotheses and understanding complex traits in
canids (lab of Adam Boyko): projects include studying the unique
recombination landscape of canids and its relationship with genomic
instability and copy-number variation, understanding the evolution of
reproductive genes after dog domestication, and identifying loci
associated with speciation and reproductive incompatibility. http://
www.vet.cornell.edu/biosci/faculty/Boyko/Adam.cfm

Investigating the effects of maternal choline supplementation
during pregnancy on biochemical, genomic and physiologic
endpoints in humans and animal models (lab of Marie Caudill):
http://www.human.cornell.edu/bio.cfm?netid=mac379

Studies of DNA repair and recombination during mammalian
gametogenesis (lab of Paula Cohen): projects include investigating
the genetic interactions between crossover pathways for meiotic
recombination; analysis of separation-of-function mutations for
members of the DNA mismatch repair pathway; investigating small
RNA regulatory pathways involved in mammalian gametogenesis.
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/labs/cohen/homepage.html

Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying
hypertension, including the devastating pregnancy-induced
cardiovascular syndrome pre-eclampsia (lab of Robin Davisson):
We identified the first non-primate animal model that spontaneously
develops the hallmarks of pre-eclampsia, and ongoing studies are
focused on investigating the molecular causes and identifying
potential biomarkers in this important disease model. http://
www.vet.cornell.edu/labs/davisson/

Roles of stem cells in reproductive system regeneration and
malignant transformation (lab of Alex Nikitin): Techniques include
generation and characterization of mouse models for cell lineage
tracing, comparative oncogenomics and stem cell pathology.
http://www.alexnikitin.com/

Multidisciplinary approaches to assess issues relevant to
maternal-fetal nutrient partitioning (Fe, Ca, vitamin D) in high risk
pregnant populations (lab of Kimberly O'Brien): techniques include
integrating biomedical mass spectrometry, animal models, placental
physiology and fetal growth. http://www.human.cornell.edu/dns/
obrien/

Examination of cell signaling determinants within the
reproductive axis required for the control of fertility (lab of Mark
Roberson): projects include analysis of the membrane raftassociated
proteome coupled to the GnRH receptor; purinergic
control of gonadotrope cell function; role of ERK signaling within the
ovary. http://www.vet.cornell.edu/biosci/faculty/roberson/

Genetic analysis of gametogenesis and infertility (lab of John
Schimenti): projects include genetic and molecular analysis of
checkpoint control mechanisms in male and female meiosis in mice;
pre-meiotic DNA replication and meiotic gene regulation; mouse
modeling of human infertility mutations. http://
schimentilab.vertebrategenomics.cornell.edu

Understanding cellular design-pathway compartmentalization
and membrane microenvironments in sperm (lab of Alex Travis):
projects include biomimicry of sperm glycolytic machinery for energy
generation on a nanoscale (for which we won an NIH Pioneer Award),
to applications for those enzymes in diagnostic devices; regulation of
calcium channel activity and sperm function by local membrane
lipids. http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/faculty/view.php?id=184

Genome maintenance mechanisms in normal and neoplastic
cells (lab of Bob Weiss): projects include analysis of cancer stem
cells, tumor metastasis, and determinants of chemosensitivity in a
testicular germ cell tumors; investigation of roles for DNA damage
checkpoint pathways in meiotic recombination. https://
faculty.cit.cornell.edu/rsw26/index.html

Molecular genetic dissection of the actions of seminal proteins,
and of the egg-to-embryo transition in Drosophila (lab of Mariana
Wolfner): projects include investigating how seminal proteins act in
networks to induce post-mating changes in females; exploring
conserved genetic pathways that coordinate the egg-to-embryo
transition, focusing on proteins that are phospho-modulated. https://
sites.google.com/site/wolfnerlab/