Postdoctoral Fellow on Gene- and Metabolism-Targeting Therapeutics

Postdoctoral positions are available in the lab of Dr. Jian Xu at Department of Pathology and Center of Excellence for Leukemia Studies (CELS) at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to study the genetic, epigenetic and metabolic processes that control stem cell development, blood disorders, and childhood cancers. We employ high-throughput epigenomics, metabolomics, single-cell multiomics, (epi)genome editing, and preclinical models to define disease-associated epigenetic and metabolic programs that control stem cell development, and how these processes go awry in cancer progression.

Our lab is equipped with cutting-edge genomics, metabolomics, molecular biology, and bioinformatics platforms, including in-house LC-MS and GS-MS-based metabolomic platforms, illumina sequencer, 10xGenomics single-cell technologies, and flow cytometry. Our team brings together enthusiastic scientists with diverse backgrounds and provides a wide range of perspectives in a multi-disciplinary and collaborative team setting. Since establishing the laboratory, our team has published a series of impactful papers including:

• Development of CRISPR CAPTURE for in situ analysis of chromatin interactions (Cell 170:1028)
• Loss of EZH2 reprograms BCAA metabolism to drive leukemic transformation (Cancer Discovery 9:1228)
• Epigenetic silencing of LINE-1 retrotransposons is an AML-selective dependency (Nature Genetics 53:672)
• Mechanisms driving resistance to IDH-targeting therapies in myeloid leukemia (Cancer Discovery 13:170)
• A glutamine metabolic switch controls normal and pathological erythropoiesis (Science 386:eadh9215)

Potential research projects:

• Identify and target metabolic and epigenetic vulnerabilities in blood cancers and therapy response
• Develop non-coding RNA-based nucleic acid therapeutics for inherited blood disoders
• Target disease-associated metabolic processes using pharmacologic and genetic approaches
• Develop AI/ML tools for integrating metabolomics, transcriptomics, and genomics datasets across development and disease

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. and/or M.D. degree with a strong background in hematology/oncology, metabolism research, biochemistry, molecular biology, and/or a related field. The ideal candidate will exhibit independence, flexibility and creativity with a record of scientific productivity. Previous experience in metabolomics, computational biology, and/or hematology-oncology is strongly preferred.

Interested individuals should send a CV, a short summary of research interest and experience, and a list of three references to:

Jian Xu, Ph.D.

Member, St. Jude Faculty

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Email: [email protected]

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