Postdoctoral Fellow - Cardiovascular Development

Postdoctoral Fellow Position in Cardiac Development, Epitranscriptomics, and Congenital Heart Disease

Summary

The laboratory of Dr. Jihyun Jang, Assistant Professor at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University, is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to investigate how epitranscriptomic mechanisms regulate cardiac development and congenital heart disease (CHD).

Our research focuses on understanding how RNA modifications, particularly N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation, control developmental cell fate decisions and pediatric cardiomyopathies.

Using an integrated approach combining:

• Human iPSC-derived cardiac organoids
• Single-cell transcriptomics and multi-omics
• Spatial and epitranscriptomic profiling
• CRISPR/genetic engineering
• Congenital heart disease models
• Genetically engineered mouse models
• Developmental biology and embryology

The lab aims to define how post-transcriptional regulation shapes heart morphogenesis and contributes to congenital heart defects and pediatric heart failure.

Current projects include investigation of:

• Mechanisms underlying right ventricular hypoplasia and congenital heart disease
• RNA regulation in pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy
• Cardiac organoid models of developmental disease
• Congenital valve disease and endocardial biology

The successful candidate will join a growing and collaborative cardiovascular research environment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University with opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and career development toward independent academic positions.

About the Principal Investigator

Dr. Jihyun Jang is an Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) at The Ohio State University and Principal Investigator in the Center for Cardiovascular Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Jang’s laboratory is supported by multiple competitive awards.

Dr. Jang secured an independent NIH R01 funding early in her faculty career, reflecting strong research productivity and long-term funding stability.

Research from the laboratory has been published in high-impact journals in cardiovascular biology and RNA regulation, including work related to:

• Cardiac development
• Calcium handling and excitation–contraction coupling
• RNA biology and epitranscriptomics
• Congenital heart disease mechanisms
• m6A-mediated regulation in cardiovascular systems

Essential Functions

The postdoctoral fellow will:

• Design and conduct independent research under the mentorship of the PI
• Perform experiments involving:
• mouse genetics and developmental phenotyping
• cardiac organoid culture
• molecular biology and RNA analysis
• single-cell omics approaches
• imaging and histology
• Analyze transcriptomic and multi-omic datasets
• Develop hypotheses and design follow-up studies
• Mentor graduate students and research assistants
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Present findings at national and international scientific meetings
• Participate in grant writing and fellowship applications
• Develop skills necessary for transition to independent research careers

Preferred Qualifications

Applicants with experience in one or more of the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Cardiovascular biology
• Developmental biology
• Stem cell biology / iPSC systems
• Congenital heart disease research
• RNA biology / epigenetics / epitranscriptomics
• Single-cell sequencing analysis
• Mouse genetics
• Bioinformatics
• Molecular biology techniques

Education Requirements

Required:

• PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, biomedical engineering, genetics, developmental biology, molecular biology, or related fields.

Why Join Our Lab?

The Jang Lab offers:

✓ Newly established and rapidly growing laboratory with opportunities to shape projects from inception

✓ Strong funding support including NIH R01 funding

✓ Mentorship toward independent funding and faculty careers

✓ Access to outstanding core facilities at NCH and OSU

✓ Collaborative cardiovascular and RNA biology communities

✓ Opportunities to publish high-impact work in developmental biology, RNA biology, and cardiovascular disease