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

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent