Postdoc position at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Postdoctoral Position in the Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine: Single-hepatocyte analysis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transcription Co-Primary investigators: Chloe Thio, MD and Ashwin Balagopal, MD

Description of position:

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher who is interested in applying high resolution molecular techniques to liver tissue samples. The overall goal of this project is to gain insight into hepatitis B transcription at the level of the single hepatocyte before and after anti-HBV therapy. Since HBV transcription is central to HBV replication, such data are needed to advance the HBV cure field. This is a translational project that will apply high-resolution molecular techniques to tissues from HBV-infected people.

The laboratory is based in the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases in the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. One of the major goals of the group is to advance knowledge of HBV virology and immunology through translational projects that utilize clinical samples to ask critical questions. Specific projects include 1) utilizing droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) to amplify HBV DNA and RNA from single hepatocytes in people with various stages of hepatitis B and with and without treatment, 2) using RNA seq to probe biological differences between hepatocytes with and without transcriptionally silent cccDNA, 3) role of epigenetics in transcriptional silencing of cccDNA.

Job Qualifications

PhD in molecular biology or related field

Experience/skills in the following areas is desired:

Background in hepatitis B or virology

Experience with standard molecular techniques, sequencing, and ideally with ddPCR

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Fluency in written and spoken English

Instructions for applying

To apply please email the following to Dr. Thio (cthio@jhmi.edu) and Dr. Balagopal (abalago1@jhmi.edu)

Cover letter describing research interests, career goals, prior experience

Curriculum vitae

Writing sample (published paper or manuscript draft)

Names and contact information of 2-3 references

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting March 29th 2021 until the position is filled. For more detail please visit the official site.