Description
A postdoctoral fellow position is open in Dr. Rui Zhou’s group in the Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Center for RNA Biology, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. The Zhou lab employs a combination of biochemical, genetic, genomic and functional genomic approaches to study the molecular mechanism governing function and regulation of non-coding RNAs, and to elucidate their roles in innate immunity, neuro-development, metabolism and tumor formation in both Drosophila and mammalian models. Lab website: https://ifbr.jhmi.edu/rui-zhou-phd#about
We identified and characterized key regulators of RNA interference and antiviral defense (Zhou et al, Molecular Cell, 2008; Sabin, Zhou et al, Cell, 2009; Czech & Zhou et al, Molecular Cell, 2009; Ni, Zhou & Czech et al, Nature Methods, 2011; Xiong et al, PNAS, 2013; Lim et al, RNA Biology, 2014; Xiong et al, PLoS Genetics, 2015; Molleston et al, Genes & Development, 2016). In addition, we established microRNA-34 as a crucial modulator of innate immunity and steroid hormone signaling (Xiong et al, PLoS Pathogens, 2016). Furthermore, we characterized the role of protein-coding circular RNA Edis in innate immunity and neuro-development (Xiong et al, PLoS Genetics, 2022; Liu et al, PLoS Genetics, 2022). Moreover, we established the function of circATP8B(2) in regulating redox homeostasis and antiviral defense (Liang et al, Cell Reports, 2024). And recently, we demonstrated that the protein-coding circbabo(5,6,7,8S) regulates lipid metabolism and neuronal function (Sheng et al, BMC Biology, 2025). Ongoing work focuses on elucidating the function and regulation of evolutionarily conserved circular RNAs in antiviral defense and lipid metabolism both in cultured Drosophila and mammalian cells and in vivo. We seek postdoctoral fellows to drive these exciting projects forward.
This position is expected to start immediately, and will be based at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, which is known for pleasant weather, low cost of living, and beautiful beaches. Salary and fringe benefits will be compliant with guidelines established by Johns Hopkins University. The Zhou Lab is located in the newly completed 225,000-square-foot Research & Education Building. We enjoy interactions with a vibrant and collegial group of colleagues working on RNA Biology, gene regulation, vascular biology, immunology, oncology and metabolism.
Requirements
Successful candidates must have a strong background in at least one of the following areas: biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics, and should be highly motivated, superb at both bench work and critical thinking, and able to work both independently and in team setting.
