Research Fellow - Vascular Biology, Human Genetics, and Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD)

Site: Massachusetts General Physicians Organization, Inc.

 

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

 

New hire with clinical research focus and skills in Vascular Biology, Human Genetics, and Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD)

 

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join an international, multidisciplinary research program focused on defining the human genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms underlying fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) and related arteriopathies, including spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and cervical artery dissection (CeAD). The fellow will work within the ALIGN-FMD Network, a global collaboration that integrates human genetics, vascular cell biology, multi-omics, and in vivo modeling to advance mechanistic understanding and identify therapeutic targets for FMD.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze and interpret human genetic data related to FMD, SCAD, and CeAD, including rare variant, common variant, and gene-burden analyses
• Integrate human genetic findings with downstream cellular and in vivo functional studies
• Design and execute experimental studies investigating vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) and extracellular matrix (ECM) dysfunction driven by genetically prioritized targets
• Perform and analyze in vitro and ex vivo cellular models, including primary human VSMCs, iPSC-derived smooth muscle cells, and engineered vascular tissues
• Apply genome engineering approaches (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9-based perturbations) to model human genetic variants and regulatory mechanisms
• Contribute to murine models of arterial remodeling, vascular integrity, and sex-specific disease mechanisms
• Prepare manuscripts, figures, and presentations for peer-reviewed publication and scientific meetings

Required Skills and Experience

• PhD (or MD/PhD) in human genetics, cardiovascular biology, vascular biology, genomics, molecular biology, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience in human genetics, including analysis or interpretation of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), whole-exome sequencing (WES), whole-genome sequencing (WGS), or rare-variant analyses
• Strong background in cell and molecular biology, ideally with experience working with vascular smooth muscle cells or related cell types
• Hands-on experience with one or more of the following:
  • Genomic variant annotation and prioritization
  • CRISPR/Cas9 or other genome-editing approaches
  • iPSC culture and differentiation
  • Murine models of cardiovascular or connective tissue disease
• Ability to work with complex datasets and translate human genetic findings into testable biological hypotheses
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a record of or clear potential for peer-reviewed publication
• Qualified candidates, please email a CV and cover letter to Dr. Mark Lindsay: Lindsay.Mark@mgh.harvard.edu

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience integrating human genetic data with functional genomics or multi-omics datasets
• Familiarity with statistical genetics, bioinformatics pipelines, or collaborative data analysis environments
• Experience studying extracellular matrix biology, collagen remodeling, or arterial biomechanics
• Interest in sex-specific genetic effects and vascular disease mechanisms

 

Physical Requirements

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EEO Statement

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. Applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged. 

 

Hybrid

 

185 Cambridge Street

 

40

 

Regular

 

Day (United States of America)

 

1300 Massachusetts General Physicians Organization, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.

 

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