Postdoc - Transposons Research - Molecular and Cell Biology

Position overview

Postdoc Employee Transposons Research Molecular and Cell Biology

Position title: Postdoctoral Employee (003252)

Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step  the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). A reasonable estimate for this position is $66,737 - $74,425.

Percent time: 100% FTE

Anticipated start: Fall 2025 to Spring 2026

Position duration: Two year with the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funding.

Application Window

Open date: October 4, 2025

Next review date: Sunday, Oct 19, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, Nov 6, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

The He lab is in the Molecular and Cell Biology department at UC-Berkeley, which encompasses a breadth of disciplines spanning all levels of organization and diverse organisms. The breadth of training, combined with the unique location of Berkeley in the center of biomedical research, offer a nurturing environment for the next-generation scientist to launch on a successful career in biomedical research in academia and industry.

The Principal Investigator, Dr. Lin He, has been recognized with the Mac Arthur Fellowship, the Searle Scholar, HHMI Faculty Scholar, and is currently a Thomas and Stacey Siebel distinguished chair professor at UC-Berkeley, and a Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) Biohub investigator.

The developmental and physiological complexity of a given organism is not governed by the sheer number of protein-coding genes. In mammals, functional non-coding elements expand gene regulatory modality and diversify functional reservoirs. Using human genetics/genomics, mouse genetics/genomics, cell and molecular biology approaches, the He lab at UC-Berkeley has identified functional non-coding elements, including transposons and non-coding RNAs. Non-coding elements offer important developmental/physiological functions and provide a unique angle to discover new biological/cellular processes in development and disease.

Combining genome engineering and live cell imaging, the lab pursues in vivo studies to elucidate cellular functions and molecular mechanisms in development and aging. Publications include Nature, Science and Cell. Currently, there are postdoc openings in two projects.

Research directions

Transposons in mammalian preimplantation development ~40% of the mammalian genome originates from transposons. They can yield functional elements for the host genome and participate in gene regulation, Neogene/ncRNA functions, and genome innovation. Mammalian preimplantation embryos are a key system to study transposon-host interactions, with ~20% of their transcriptome arising from transposon induction. We aim to characterize the role of specific transposons in preimplantation embryos.

Transposons in aging and disease Transposons can be detrimental to host genomes and are regulated by silencing mechanisms. Aberrant transposon induction is observed in aging, cancer and infection. We aim to investigate mechanisms of transposon dysregulation during reproductive aging and cancer and to elucidate effects of transposon-host interactions on aging and cancer.

Lab
: https:///

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

PhD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a PhD degree program (or equivalent international degree)

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

Ph.D. (or equivalent international degree) required by the appointment start date. No more than three years of post-degree research experience by the start date.

Preferred qualifications

Ph.D. in developmental biology, Genetics, Genomics, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or related field are all welcome to apply. Prior research experiences in mammalian development and disease are preferred.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated CV.
• Cover Letter
• Research Statement - Please discuss research accomplishments and proposed plans. This can include, for example, your publication record, awards,…