Postdoc Position in Gene Regulation

Postdoc Position in Gene Regulation

Utrecht University - Faculty of Science

Utrecht, Netherlands

Cell identity relies on correct gene expression, so the process of transcription is tightly regulated. During early elongation of RNA Polymerase II, it is likely to terminate. Early termination has a big impact on transcriptional output, but how it is regulated is poorly understood. The Vlaming lab aims to understand what drives early termination vs productive elongation. To this end, we use cutting-edge nascent-RNA sequencing techniques, high-throughput screening and precise genome editing.

Your job

This project aims to systematically identify and characterize regulators of early transcription termination. Potential approaches will involve pooled CRISPR screens, genome editing mouse embryonic stem cells to allow for rapid protein depletion, mapping transcriptional effects (RNA-seq, TT-seq, PRO-seq), proximity labeling approaches, ChIP, and the bioinformatic analysis of generated sequencing data. You are encouraged to bring your own expertise to the current project and contribute your own project ideas.

While working on this project, you will hone your technical skills as well as skills in project design, writing, presenting, supervising, and collaborating. As part of our team, you will contribute to an enthusiastic, collaborative and respectful environment, in which we can perform high-quality research together.

Your qualities

You share our enthusiasm for gene regulation and are motivated to push beyond the boundaries of what we know. Furthermore, you meet the following criteria:

• you have obtained, or are on track to obtain, a PhD with first or co-author publications/preprints in a relevant field;
• you have a background in gene regulation, or in a closely related field;
• you bring experience with at least two, ideally more, of the following approaches: cell engineering, high-throughput assays, transcriptomics, genomics, sequencing data analysis;
• you are able to work independently, as well as collaboratively in a team;
• you are proficient in academic English, both spoken and written.