Postdoctoral Associate

Duke Careers • Durham, NC

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Diao Lab in the Department of Cell Biology at Duke University School of Medicine has multiple openings for postdoctoral fellows. We are seeking highly motivated candidates to join our research program in regeneration genomics. Our laboratory develops and applies cutting-edge genomics and proteomics technologies to understand how gene regulation and chromatin organization control cell fate, tissue regeneration, aging, and disease.

The PI, Dr. Yarui Diao, is a tenured Associate Professor of Cell Biology at Duke University School of Medicine. He received his Ph.D. training in cell biology, studying skeletal muscle regeneration, followed by postdoctoral training in genomics and epigenomics. The Diao Lab’s recent studies on gene regulation, stem cell biology, genome organization, and tissue regeneration have been published in leading journals, including Molecular Cell 2022, Nature Genetics 2023, Journal of Cell Biology 2023, Genome Medicine 2023, Nature Cell Biology 2025, and Nature Biotechnology 2026. The lab has been continuously supported by federal funding from NIH and the Department of Defense since 2020, including multiple R01, U01, R35, RF1, R33, R21, and DOD Idea Development Award grants.

The Diao Lab is committed to making fundamental discoveries and training the next generation of scientists in biomedical research. Our Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows have published in strong journals, secured prestigious research awards and fellowships, and advanced to leading institutions and companies for postdoctoral training, tenure-track faculty positions, and scientist positions in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

We are recruiting postdoctoral fellows in the following research areas:
1. Regenerative immunotherapy and CAR T-based approaches for tissue repairThe postdoctoral fellow will develop and apply cell-based therapeutic strategies, including CAR T approaches, to target pathogenic cell states and improve tissue repair in diseases involving muscle damage, fibrosis, ischemia, and degeneration.
2. Transposable elements in aging and degenerative diseaseThe postdoctoral fellow will develop and apply cutting-edge genomics and proteomics approaches to investigate the mechanisms by which transposable elements function as gene regulatory elements, as well as their pathological roles in aging, regeneration, and degenerative disorders.
3. Epigenomics, genome organization, and single-cell multi-omics technologiesThe postdoctoral fellow will develop and apply cutting-edge single-cell, multi-omic, and perturbation approaches to study the fundamental mechanisms of genome organization, chromatin architecture, enhancer-promoter communication, disease risk variants, and gene regulatory networks in development, regeneration, and disease. Research models may include patient samples, mouse models, and iPSC-derived brain and cardiac organoids.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to work in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment that combines genomics technology development, stem cell and regeneration biology, disease modeling, computational biology, and translational research. Fellows will be encouraged to develop independent research directions, publish high-impact studies, present at national and international conferences, apply for fellowships and career development awards, and prepare for independent academic or industry careers.

Requirements

• Ph.D., M.D., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent degree in biology, genetics, genomics, molecular biology, cell biology, computational biology, bioinformatics, immunology, bioengineering, or a related field.
• Experience in genomics, epigenomics, single-cell technologies, stem cell biology, muscle biology, aging, immunology, gene and cell therapy, computational analysis, or animal models are especially encouraged to apply.
• Strong motivation, scientific creativity, careful experimental design, effective communication, and the ability to work collaboratively are essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply cell-based therapeutic strategies, including CAR T approaches, to target pathogenic cell states and improve tissue repair in diseases involving muscle damage, fibrosis, ischemia, and degeneration.
• Develop and apply cutting-edge genomics and proteomics approaches to investigate the mechanisms by which transposable elements function as gene regulatory elements, as well as their pathological roles in aging, regeneration, and degenerative disorders.
• Develop and apply cutting-edge single-cell, multi-omic, and perturbation approaches to study the fundamental mechanisms of genome organization, chromatin architecture, enhancer-promoter communication, disease risk variants, and gene regulatory networks in development, regeneration, and disease.
• Encouraged to develop independent research directions, publish high-impact studies, present at national and international conferences, apply for fellowships and career development awards, and prepare for independent academic or industry careers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree