Career Opportunities
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Postdoctoral Fellow Position
Position Title: Exposure-induced epigenetic changes in hematopoietic cells.
Position Description: Differentially methylated regions in the genome are associated with tissue specific and developmental regulation of gene expression. Our research team has identified a novel epigenetic, DNA-methylation based biomarker in fetal cord blood that is associated with maternal tobacco exposure and these differentially methylated genes are known to regulate hematopoietic progenitor cell differentiation and metabolism (Joubert et al EHP 2012). We will investigate how these DNA methylation changes alter molecular and cellular phenotype of hematopoietic cells (particularly progenitor cells) in both fetal and adult blood. Our goal is to identify the target hematopoietic cell types for exposure-induced methylation effects by comparing methylation and gene expression profiles in hematopoietic cell subtypes (particularly CD34+ cells) isolated from current smokers and nonsmokers (cord blood and adult blood). We will seek to determine the mechanism for exposure-induced methylation changes by examining hematopoietic lineage-specific epigenetic effects of tobacco smoke components in an in vitro exposure model. The primary methodology for assessing methylation in population samples will be the use of Illumina 450K methylation arrays with validation by pyrosequencing and bisulfite Nextgen sequencing.
The Environmental Genomics group in the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics studies the underlying factors that contribute to variation in human toxicological responses. We especially focus on discovery of human alleles or epigenetic factors that modify responses to exposure and we investigate how such factors affect risk in exposed populations.
Candidates should have a PhD or equivalent degree in molecular/cell biology, genetics, toxicology or related field. Applicants with an understanding of hematopoiesis, a background in toxicology and training in genomics/epigenetics would be ideal candidates, however, other qualified individuals in more general areas will be considered. Candidates with five or fewer years of relevant postdoctoral research experience are eligible, recent graduates are encouraged to apply.
Submit a curriculum vitae, bibliography, names of three references and a cover letter describing your qualifications for this project by email to: Douglas Bell, PhD, BELL1@niehs.nih.gov.
Employer Name: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Position Location: Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
Application Deadline: April 1, 2013
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