Post Doctoral.Post Doctoral.Associate

University of Pittsburgh • Pittsburgh, PA

6h • Onsite

About The Position

The St. Hilaire Lab is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to investigate the molecular mechanisms driving Medial Arterial Calcification (MAC), a distinct cause of peripheral artery disease (PAD) independent of atherosclerosis. This research builds upon groundbreaking work identifying mutations in CD73 as the cause of a rare MAC disorder. The project explores how genotoxic stress and the loss of DNA repair enzymes, such as Ercc1, trigger a signaling cascade that represses CD73 expression, disrupts vascular homeostasis, and initiates the transition of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) toward a bone-like phenotype. The successful candidate will lead experimental efforts to elucidate the contribution of the DNA damage response (DDR) to MAC and expand the study to investigate how cardiovascular calcification is accelerated by the unique stressors of deep space, such as radiation and microgravity. This role is centered on defining how cellular responses to DNA damage promote pathological remodeling and evaluating these pathways as therapeutic targets.

Requirements

• PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, or similar science.
• Experience in vascular biology.

Responsibilities

• Lead experimental efforts to elucidate the contribution of DDR to MAC.
• Expand the scope of our study to investigate how cardiovascular calcification is accelerated by the unique stressors of deep space, such as radiation and microgravity.
• Perform biochemical and molecular pathway mapping using primary human coronary and tibial artery SMCs alongside a novel stochastic DNA damage mouse model.
• Leverage cutting-edge multi-omics, including single-cell transcriptomic analysis and RNAScope on human MAC tissues, to define the spatial and transcriptional landscape of calcified vessels.
• Conduct rigorous in vitro and in vivo testing to determine if modulating the DDR or its immediate downstream effectors can rescue the calcification phenotype and restore vascular function.

What This Job Offers

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