Postdoctoral Research Associate - Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO, USA
Posted on Sep 4, 2025
Position Summary
A postdoctoral position (Scholar or Associate) is available immediately in the Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine at WashU in St. Louis.The Dai Lab is focused on understanding the homeostasis of lung vascular biology and pathogenesis of cardiopulmonary diseases with the goals of 1) understanding underlying mechanisms of pulmonary vascular diseases including pulmonary hypertension, and 2) identifying novel precision therapeutic approaches and targets for lung diseases and right heart failure due to pulmonary hypertension.
Current research projects include 1) defining the mechanism of genetic factors influencing pulmonary arterial hypertension, 2) evaluating how endothelial cells crosstalk with other lung cell populations in the disease lungs including COPD and lung fibrosis, and 3) developing novel approaches for lung specific targeting on lung diseases. Our recent publications include influential articles in Circulation (2016), AJRCCM (2018;2018), ERJ (2022), ATVB (2022), and Hypertension (2023), Circulation (2024). We leverage cutting-edge technologies like genetic lineage tracing, CRISPR genomic editing, single-cell omics, and spatial transcriptomics to unravel complex cardiopulmonary vascular diseases.
We are seeking highly motivated postdoctoral candidates with preferred prior experience in developmental biology, molecular biology, or epigenetics. Our supportive environment values teamwork, dedication, and curiosity. Successful candidates will be self-motivated and have skills and training to assist in performing complex research studies, experiments, and assays. This position will also provide opportunity to develop exciting, cutting edge independent translational research projects at the intersection of lung, heart and vascular biology. We are committed to nurturing your independent career development and providing strong support for fellowship, training grant, and independent grant applications.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Information on being a postdoc at WashU in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/.
Trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor including (but not limited to):
- Manage their own project, which should lead to first author publications.
- Develop expertise in data analysis.
- Develop proficiency in career skills, including writing, public speaking, networking, and critical evaluation of scientific literature.
- Present scientific work, both inside and outside the University, with excellent oral communication skills.
- Assist with grant preparation and reporting.
- Prepare and submit papers on research with excellent writing skills.
- Design research experiments, evaluate research findings, and report results.
- Conscientious discharge of their research responsibilities.
- Maintain conformity with ethical standards in research.
- Maintain compliance with good laboratory practice including the maintenance of adequate research records.
- Engage in open and timely discussion with their mentor regarding possession or distribution of material, reagents, or records belonging to their laboratory and any proposed disclosure of findings or techniques privately or in publications.
- Collegial conduct towards co-trainees, staff members and members of the research group.
- Adherence to all applicable University policies, procedures, and regulations. All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated in University laboratories remain the property of the University.
- Mentorship of trainees in the lab.
Working Conditions:
This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.
Salary Range:
Base pay is commensurate with experience.
Applicant Special Instructions:
To apply, please send a letter of interest, CV, and a list of three (3) references to Dr. Dai at z.dai@wustl.edu.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.Required Qualifications
Education:
Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.
Certifications:
Work Experience:
Skills:
Driver's License:
More About This Job
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with cell/molecular biology techniques (RNA and DNA extraction and purification, gel electrophoresis, PCR).
- Experience with flow cytometry, experimental design and setup, data acquisition and data analysis.
- Experience with processing and analysis of bulk RNA and single-cell sequencing data and epigenetic sequencing data.
- Motivated for learning new techniques for biomedical science.
- Ability to adapt and change as new laboratory protocols emerge.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
No additional education beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.
Certifications:
Work Experience:
Skills:
Questions
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.
Accommodation
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.