Research Fellow - Vascular Biology, Human Genetics, and Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD)

Mass General Brigham • Boston, MA

35d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join an international, multidisciplinary research program focused on defining the human genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms underlying fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) and related arteriopathies, including spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and cervical artery dissection (CeAD). The fellow will work within the ALIGN-FMD Network, a global collaboration that integrates human genetics, vascular cell biology, multi-omics, and in vivo modeling to advance mechanistic understanding and identify therapeutic targets for FMD.

Requirements

• PhD (or MD/PhD) in human genetics, cardiovascular biology, vascular biology, genomics, molecular biology, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience in human genetics, including analysis or interpretation of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), whole-exome sequencing (WES), whole-genome sequencing (WGS), or rare-variant analyses
• Strong background in cell and molecular biology, ideally with experience working with vascular smooth muscle cells or related cell types
• Hands-on experience with one or more of the following: Genomic variant annotation and prioritization CRISPR/Cas9 or other genome-editing approaches iPSC culture and differentiation Murine models of cardiovascular or connective tissue disease
• Ability to work with complex datasets and translate human genetic findings into testable biological hypotheses
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a record of or clear potential for peer-reviewed publication
• Qualified candidates, please email a CV and cover letter to Dr. Mark Lindsay: [email protected]

Nice To Haves

• Experience integrating human genetic data with functional genomics or multi-omics datasets
• Familiarity with statistical genetics, bioinformatics pipelines, or collaborative data analysis environments
• Experience studying extracellular matrix biology, collagen remodeling, or arterial biomechanics
• Interest in sex-specific genetic effects and vascular disease mechanisms

Responsibilities

• Analyze and interpret human genetic data related to FMD, SCAD, and CeAD, including rare variant, common variant, and gene-burden analyses
• Integrate human genetic findings with downstream cellular and in vivo functional studies
• Design and execute experimental studies investigating vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) and extracellular matrix (ECM) dysfunction driven by genetically prioritized targets
• Perform and analyze in vitro and ex vivo cellular models, including primary human VSMCs, iPSC-derived smooth muscle cells, and engineered vascular tissues
• Apply genome engineering approaches (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9-based perturbations) to model human genetic variants and regulatory mechanisms
• Contribute to murine models of arterial remodeling, vascular integrity, and sex-specific disease mechanisms
• Prepare manuscripts, figures, and presentations for peer-reviewed publication and scientific meetings

What This Job Offers

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