Postdoctoral Scientist - Heart Institute - Karlstaedt Lab

Job Description

Grow your career at Cedars‑Sinai!

Cedars‑Sinai Medical Center has been named to the Honor Roll in U.S. News & World Report's "Best Hospitals 2025‑2026" rankings. When you join our team, you will have access to groundbreaking biomedical research facilities and world‑class medical education programs. We hire exceptional, dedicated professionals passionate about advancing healthcare. Our staff reflect a culturally and ethnically diverse community and are united by a shared commitment to excellence.

Together we foster a dynamic, inclusive environment that drives innovation and supports the gold standard of patient care.

Are you ready to be a part of breakthrough research?

The Smidt Heart Institute reflects Cedars‑Sinai's steadfast dedication to heart disease and research innovation, giving patients access to the highest level of care. Our cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and niche care teams treat the full spectrum of heart disease, while our investigators continue to advance the field with groundbreaking, life‑saving research.

The Karlstaedt Lab is looking for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join an ambitious collaborative project to decipher metabolic interactions between cancer cells and the heart. Funded in part by an active NIH/NHLBI grant, this role will involve close collaboration in a multidisciplinary team with collaborators within the Smidt Heart Institute and the Cedars Cancer Center.

Our research group has an established track record in the study of metabolic pathways using in vivo and ex vivo multi‑omics approaches, including computational simulations of cardiac metabolism. We combine ex vivo organ perfusion techniques with stable isotope tracers to measure metabolic flux alterations. The successful candidate will develop innovative strategies for projects bridging cardiovascular research and oncology. A unique opportunity within the research group is to establish in vivo mouse models to study metabolic changes in the heart during cancer.

Currently, a particular focus is on leukemia and solid tumors (e.g., colorectal cancer).

The position will also be connected to a vibrant local scientific community for translational research in Los Angeles. We seek to build on previous expertise and methods devised by our team.

Working independently but in close cooperation and in consultation with the Principal Investigator and other Research Scientist, our Research Fellow will perform routine and complex laboratory procedures throughout the training period and may develop, adapt, and implement new research techniques and protocols. Will analyze and interpret data and may assist in preparation of grant proposals. You will participate in publications and presentations as author or co‑author.

This position is not responsible for generating grant funds.

• May assist in preparation of grant proposals but is not responsible for generating grant funds.
• May participate in publications and presentations as author or co‑author.
• Designs and performs experiments; keeps appropriate experimental records and documentation and analyzes the results with the Principal Investigator.
• May develop, adapt, and implement new research techniques and protocols.
• Analyzes, interprets, summarizes, and compiles data.
• Performs routine and complex laboratory procedures throughout the training period.
• Operates and maintains equipment and instruments.

Educational Requirements:

• Doctorate (MD, PhD, VMD, or DDS) in area directly related to field of research specialization is required.

Experience:

• Works independently on research projects designed by a mentor within area of specialization.
• Acquires thorough technical and theoretical knowledge of research project and objectives during one to five (1‑5) year post‑doctoral appointment.
• Demonstrated aptitude to perform experimental protocols and procedures, including detailed data collection, and analysis and operation and maintenance of specialized equipment.
• Knowledge of safety standards and maintenance of specialized equipment.
• Knowledge of mass spectrometry, tracer studies and transgenic mouse models.
• Expertise in biological data science and…