Faculty.Professor.Research Assistant - Full-Time at University of Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, is seeking a Research Assistant Professor of Medicine in the appointment stream.

Duties will include a research project that focuses on elucidating the interaction between Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and the pioneer transcription factor KLF4 drives maladaptive vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) reprogramming in atherosclerosis and contributing to aortic valve disease research objectives in the St. Hilaire Lab. They will perform bench and animal experiments examining vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic reprogramming and its role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. They will execute advanced molecular and genomic techniques, such as quantifying KLF4 transcriptional dynamics in iPSCs, nucleosome reconstitution assays, and PLAC-seq to assess enhancer-promoter looping. They will also conduct in vivo lineage-tracing experiments using mPCSK9-induced atherosclerosis mouse models to evaluate lesion outcomes following genetic or pharmacological inhibition of TERT and KLF4. Based on the resulting data, they will analyze and interpret findings, assist in writing manuscripts, and submitting grant applications. They will also prepare and manage necessary regulatory documents, such as IACUC applications for the animal studies.

Effort Allocation: 90% Research; 10% Administration

Minimum Qualifications - PhD in Biological Sciences with a foundation in the principles and techniques of biochemistry and biological sciences, alongside extensive experience in immunology and cancer biology covering pro-inflammatory signaling, chromosomal instability, and transcriptional profiling

Interested candidates should apply at www.join.pitt.edu using requisition #26001599

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.