Instructor position - C. elegans - Washington University in St Louis

A research Instructor position is available to employ C. elegans to identify and study the function of genes that cause rare diseases in humans, as a component of the NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN). As part of a team effort with other researchers and clinicians, candidate disease gene-variants are identified, knocked into the worm ortholog by Cas9/CRISPR and phenotype assessed. The development of a follow-up independent research program from one or more of the cases is possible. The project is performed under the guidance of professors Tim Schedl & Stephen Pak, co-directors of the Washington University School of Medicine Undiagnosed Diseases Network C. elegans Model Organism Screening Center.

For examples of publications from this project see:

  • Huang et al. A dominant negative variant of RAB5B disrupts maturation of surfactant protein B and surfactant protein C. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2022;119(6):e2105228119. PMID: 35121658.
  • Fielder et al. Functional analysis of a novel de novo variant in PPP5C associated with microcephaly, seizures, and developmental delay. Mol Genet Metab. 2022;136(1):65-73. PMID: 35361529.
  • Boulin et al., Functional analysis of a de novo variant in the neurodevelopment and generalized epilepsy disease gene NBEA. Mol Genet Metab. 2021;134(1-2):195-202. PMID: 34412939

Applicants must have completed PhD, MD or foreign equivalent and at least 3 years of post-doctoral research experience. Experience in C. elegans, genetics, molecular, cellular, developmental or neuro-biology is required. The desired candidate is a team player with a strong work ethic. International scientists and US citizens are equally eligible for these fully funded positions.

Washington University is a premier medical research institution, highly collaborative with strengths in model organism basic science and clinical research. St Louis is a diverse multi-cultural environment that is friendly, very affordable and has easy access to numerous indoor and outdoor activities.

For more information or to apply, email Stephen Pak < stephen.pak@wustl.edu > or Tim Schedl < ts@wustl.edu >. To apply, send cover letter, a CV and