Postdoctoral Associate

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title Postdoctoral Associate

Job Category Staff & Executive - Research (Laboratory/Non-Laboratory)

Department RWJ - Pharmacology

Overview

New Jersey’s academic health center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) takes an integrated approach to educating students, providing clinical care, and conducting research, all with the goal of improving human health. Aligned with Rutgers University–New Brunswick and collaborating university wide, RBHS includes eight schools, a behavioral health network, and five centers and institutes that focus on cancer treatment and research, neuroscience, advanced biotechnology and medicine, environmental and occupational health, and health care policy and aging research.

Our faculty are teachers, clinicians, and scientists with unparalleled experience who advance medical innovation and provide patient care informed by the latest research findings. We offer an outstanding education in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, biomedical research, and the full spectrum of allied health careers.

Our clinical and academic facilities are located throughout the state - at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, including Piscataway; and at locations in Newark, Scotch Plains, Somerset, Stratford, and other locations. Clinical partners include Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Newark’s University Hospital in Newark, and other affiliates.

Through this community of healers, scientists, and scholars, Rutgers is equipped as never before to transform lives.

Posting Summary Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate for the Pharmacology Department at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

The Principal Investigator’s laboratory is recruiting Postdoctoral Associates to spearhead the experimental and computational analysis arms of ongoing research projects focusing on the function of transcription factor (TF) networks in mediating cell fate transitions at the early stages of oncogenic transformation as well as during aging of the immune system. The main project is focused on understanding and manipulating the function of transcription factor (TF) networks during the cell fate transitions that take place during the early stages of oncogenic transformation in two model systems: i) HER2-driven OIS in primary human mammary epithelial cells and ii) and in vivo mouse model of mammary epithelium-specific overexpression of HER2. Isolation of murine mammary glands and purification of epithelial cells, tissue sectioning and histological analysis, generation of inducible overexpression vectors, ATAC-seq, RNA-seq, Cut&Tag, ChIP-seq, CRISPR-mediated editing, and RNA interference approaches will be used to identify and manipulate key nodes in the TF network, aiming to perturb disease-relevant cell states in the cell culture model with subsequent validation in the animal model. The candidate will lead the experimental arm of the project and will participate in the culturing and manipulation of human primary cells, generation of custom vectors, CRISPR-mediated genome editing, and preparation of high-throughput sequencing libraries. The Postdoctoral Associate will have the opportunity to participate in ongoing collaborative projects, as well as to spearhead new projects within the lab.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Engage in scientific communication, training of junior personnel, grant writing and manuscript preparation.
• Assist in developing additional skills such as generation of disease-relevant cell culture model systems and new technologies to study chromatin modifications and genome structure genome-wide, as well as experience with the analysis of high-throughput sequencing data.
• Participate in the evaluation of existing procedures, suggesting revisions where necessary and proposing new procedures where required. Assists in the implementation of the programs and projects in special areas of interest to the laboratory.
• Contribute to the development of performance standards, selection of methodology and instrumentation and coordination of the analytical, biochemical, physiology and instrumentation functions with the research areas to ensure conformance with the goals and objectives of the department.
• Maintain accurate records of laboratory notebooks and research activity. Review literature and prepare manuscripts and abstracts for submission. Present findings at national meetings.
• May also mentor graduate/undergraduate students.

FLSA Exempt

Grade

Salary Details

Minimum Salary 20,000

Mid Range Salary 90,000

Maximum Salary 200,000

Offer Information The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status Full Time

Working Hours 37.5 hours/week

Standard Hours 37.50

Daily Work Shift Day

Work Arrangement This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.

Union Description Post Docs - Regular Salaried

Payroll Designation PeopleSoft

Seniority Unit

Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• A PhD degree, preferably in biochemistry, biophysics, bioengineering, or a similar field within the life sciences, and significant experience in biochemical and molecular biology methods to study TF networks in a disease-focused context.
• Applicants in ABD (all but degree) status will also be considered.

Certifications/Licenses

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• The ideal candidate is energetic, collegial, detail oriented and organized.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with the generation of cell culture models to study cell fate transitions, CRISPR-mediated editing, as well as high-throughput data analysis, is beneficial, but not required.
• The candidate has experience (3+ years) in mouse models of cancer, including monitoring of colonies, tissue isolation and sectioning, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical activity assays preferred.
• The candidate should also have experience in nucleic acid isolation, RT-qPCR, molecular cloning, gel electrophoresis, and immunoblotting.

Equipment Utilized

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Physical Demands: Standing, sitting, walking, talking or hearing. No special vision requirements.
• Work Environment: Lab environment with moderate noise. Radioactivity and hazardous chemicals are used in the lab.

Special Conditions

Posting Details

Posting Number 26ST2149

Posting Open Date 11/11/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

Regional Campus Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)

Home Location Campus Piscataway (RBHS)

City Piscataway

State NJ

Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement