Opportunities
Postdoctoral Scholar: RNA Biology, Vaccines, Immunotherapy, Virology, Epigenetics, and Drug Design
Available immediately for highly motivated recent Ph.Ds and/or MDs with strong training in any of the following disciplines: biochemistry, bioinformatics, immunology, molecular and cell biology, virology, medicinal chemistry or chemical biology to participate in the following projects involving multidisciplinary teams of clinicians and basic science investigators: (a) investigate RNA biology mechanisms in immune functions altered by RNA viruses and cancer; (b) identify epitranscriptomics roles in regulating cancer and host-pathogen interactions; (c) develop and employ human stem cell derived lung organoids and cancer stem cell based disease models; (d) structure-based design and synthesis of new drug candidates to treat cancer and viral infections. (e) generate single cell atlases of human and monkey brains. Technologies employed in our projects include CRISPR, RNAi, single cell genomics (scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq), bioinformatics, proteomics, in vitro and vivo models, computational drug design and synthesis, and biochemical kinetics assays to analyze drug activities. Strong publication record and training to perform independent research are required for further consideration. We highly value and encourage applications from minority groups. Successful Candidates will be part of a stimulating and collaborative scientific environment with cutting-edge instrumentation and facilities. Applicants should send CV and names and addresses of three references to ranaoffice@ucsd.edu: Administrative Coordinator, Rana Laboratory, Division of Genetics, Program in Immunology, Moores Cancer Center, Institute for Genomic Medicine, and Center for Drug Discovery Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
PhD Students:
If you are interested in pursuing your PhD in the Rana Lab, please apply to UCSD graduate programs of your interest such as biology, bioengineering, neuroscience, pharmacology, and the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program. Please keep in mind that international applicants are required to complete a Pre-Application due prior to the full application due date.
Undergraduate Students:
MS/BS in Biology
https://biology.ucsd.edu/education/contiguous-bsms/labs-intersested-bsms.html
Desired Qualifications:Must have a strong desire and commitment to perform scientific research in human disease mechanisms. Must have an understanding of biochemistry, bioinformatics, chemistry, cell biology, or molecular biology. Prior lab experience is a plus.
Documents to Submit: Resume, Cover Letter, Unofficial Transcript
Send Materials to: Rana Lab. ranaoffice@ucsd.edu
Rotation Projects
Lab Rotation Project Description: There are a number of projects available in the lab. Please see research page and contact Dr. Rana to discuss suitable rotation projects. For example: (a) immune system engineering including designing new CAR-T and CAR-NK cells, mechanisms of host-virus interactions, vaccine and drug design; (b) single cell multiome studies of human and monkey brains; (c) cancer stem cells are differentiated to generate 3D organoids and to identify RNA modification mechanisms that can be perturbed to selectively destroy cancer stem cells. (d) Chemical biology projects involve drug design, synthesis, enzyme inhibition, protein-drug structures. In vivo models are utilized to identify RNAs and their complexes involved in the success and resistance to immunotherapy in cancers. Projects involve scRNA seq, bioinformatics, RNAi, CRISPR-Cas9, CAR-T, CAR-NK, and immune mechanism analyses.
Methods used: immune/cancer cells or stem cell culture, 3D organoids, bioinformatics, RNA-Seq, single cell RNA-Seq, CRISPR-Cas9 knockout cells, drug design, mouse models.
Project Duration 12 Weeks