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Postdoctoral associate, graduate student, research assistant positions are available in the laboratory of Dr. Wanhe Li in the Department of Biology, Center for Biological Clocks Research, Texas A&M University (https://www.bio.tamu.edu/faculty-page-wanhe-li/). Our research program links sleep and emotion studies in model organisms. Specifically, we exploit chronic social isolation to study the etiology of sleep loss and other adverse health conditions under chronic stress¹.

We are focusing on:

1. Analyzing genetic pathways underlying chronic social isolation-induced sleep loss and determining how circadian, seasonal, disease and age factors influence these pathways.
2. Identifying neural substrates and circuits underlying social isolation-induced sleep loss. These neural substrates and circuits will reveal (a) principles of sleep and wakefulness control; (b) molecular and circuit mechanisms underlying the passage of time during chronic social isolation.
3. Exploring chronic social isolation-induced metabolic changes and its associated health outcomes.
4. Developing a genetically tractable animal model to study the reciprocal relationship between chronic stress and the progression of tumor.

Research Keyword

Chronic stress, chronic social isolation, sleep and wakefulness regulation, metabolism, ageing, chronic diseases, tumorigenesis, circadian biology, neural circuits, genetics, and genomics.

For postdoctoral positions, applicants are expected to hold a Ph.D. and/or M.D. (or equivalent doctoral degrees) at the start date. Applicants with any research background are welcome to apply. Prior experience in biochemistry/molecular biology, neurogenetics/genomics, imaging/optics, sleep/circadian biology, and Drosophila tumorigenesis models is preferred. Outstanding candidates should have a strong interest in sleep and circadian biology research and a strong interest in developing research skills using multidisciplinary approaches. Our research will train broad skills in molecular biology, Drosophila genetics, genomics and bioinformatics, metabolic analyses, instrumentation, high throughput behavioral analyses, immunohistochemical techniques, and in vivo functional imaging using two-photon microscopy.

Texas A&M University, one of the US’s largest public institutions is located at College Station, Texas, which is within easy driving distance to Houston, Austin, Dalla and San Antonio. College Station, as a high-tech research area, has a rapidly growing population and has been ranked No. 3 on Forbes’ list of the best small U.S. places for business and careers and one of the nation’s top 10 cities for families.

Please email wli01@tamu.edu with a cover letter, CV and contact information for 2-3 references.

Competitive salary and benefits, including health insurance and retirement benefit, will be offered according to Texas A&M University and NIH guidelines.

1. Li W., Wang Z., Syed S., Lyu C., Lincoln S., O’Neil J., Nguyen A., Feng I., Young M.W. (2021) Chronic social isolation signals starvation and reduces sleep in Drosophila. Nature, 597(7875):239-244

Highlighted in Levine J.D. (2021) Chronically lonely flies overeat and lose sleep. News and Views, Nature

The Jones Lab at Texas A&M University (www.jones-lab.org) is hiring a postdoctoral researcher to work on a project investigating circadian (near-24 h) output circuits. Our primary research focus is understanding the genes, neurons, and circuits that regulate differently-timed circadian rhythms in behavior and physiology in mammals. To study these questions, we use a variety of cutting-edge techniques including neuromodulation (optogenetics, chemogenetics), imaging (in vivo and ex vivo), neurogenetics (CRISPR/Cas9), neuroanatomy (circuit tracing), and complex behavioral analysis (machine learning). Candidates will have the opportunity to be trained on these and other methods, to learn circadian neuroscience, and to develop their own research directions. Candidates must have (or will have by the time they start in the lab) a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in neuroscience, biology, or a related field and a strong research background including first-author publication(s) or preprint(s). We are especially interested in candidates with expertise in systems neuroscience, circadian biology, and/or programming, but this is not required.

If you are interested in joining our lab, please send the following to jjones@bio.tamu.edu and apply here:

• A 1-2 page cover letter detailing your research experience, career goals, and how training in the Jones Lab would help you achieve those goals
• A CV that includes research experience, technical skills, and a list of publications, and
• The contact information for up to three references.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

The Jones Lab is housed in the Department of Biology (https://bio.tamu.edu) and is affiliated with the Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience (https://tamin.tamu.edu) and the Center for Biological Clocks Research (https://clocks.tamu.edu). Texas A&M is therefore an ideal environment in which to study circadian neuroscience. Texas A&M University is a Tier 1 research institution located in College Station, TX. The Bryan-College Station area offers cultural diversity, entertainment, job opportunities, and an excellent quality of life. Located in the heart of the Houston-Dallas-Austin triangle, the area offers the modern amenities of a big city with a warm, small-town charm and low cost of living, making it an ideal place to live.

NIH funded post-doctoral position

Conformational changes in clock proteins that keep circadian time

The Hardin lab at Texas A&M University has an immediate opening for a post-doctoral fellow to study molecular mechanisms that control circadian timekeeping and activity rhythms using Drosophila as a model system. These studies will employ biochemical, molecular, genetic and computational tools to determine how conformational changes in PERIOD (PER) and CLOCK (CLK) proteins drive circadian rhythms in transcription and behavior. Qualified candidates must have a PhD in biology/biochemistry or a related field, be able to work as part of an interactive team and possess excellent written and oral communication skills. Preference will be given to recent PhD graduates with experience in molecular biology, protein biochemistry, genetic analysis of gene expression, Drosophila neurogenetics and/or analysis of circadian behavior.

To apply for this position please send the following to phardin@bio.tamu.edu:

• A 1-2 page cover letter describing your research experience and career goals
• A CV that lists your research experience, technical skills and publications
• Contact information for three references

Texas A&M University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability employer.

Bell-Pedersen Lab

Post-doctoral Research Positions:

Circadian Clock control of mRNA translation and translation fidelity

Circadian clock-based treatments for jet-lag and aging

The Bell-Pedersen lab at Texas A&M University has immediate openings for 2 post-doctoral fellows to study the mechanisms of circadian clock control of mRNA translation and translation fidelity, or to work on the development of circadian-based treatments for jet-lag, aging, and aging-associated disease. The lab primarily uses the fungus Neurospora crassa as a model system for mechanistic studies and rapid drug screening. Mammalian cells and mammals will be used to validate and develop potential therapeutics. Please see our lab website for more details on these projects at https://www.bellpedersenlab.com

Environment: We are in the Biology Department at Texas A&M (https://www.bio.tamu.edu/) and are part of the Center for Research on Biological Rhythms (CRBC) (https://clocks.tamu.edu). Both groups bring together members from a variety of scientific and international backgrounds. The atmosphere is enthusiastic, collaborative, and supportive. Texas A&M is Tier 1 research institution with expansive research facilities, and College Station is a small, friendly, low cost of living, university town located between Austin and Houston.

Requirements: Qualified candidates must have a PhD in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology or related fields, be able to work collaboratively and maintain a supportive environment in the lab, and have excellent written and oral communication skills. Preference will be given to recent PhD candidates with experience in molecular genetics, biochemistry, translation control mechanisms, and/or circadian biology.

Application: Applicants should send the following to dpedersen@tamu.edu

1. A cover letter that describes your research interests and career goals

2. A CV that lists your research experience, technical skills, and publications

3. Contact information for three references

Texas A&M University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability employer committed to building a culturally diverse educational environment. Applications from veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, minorities, and members of other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.