Opportunities

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We are recruiting talented scientists with an interest in molecular cell biology, tissue engineering, quantitative microscopy, skin biology, and related fields. Specific opportunities are listed below, but other positions may be considered on a case by case basis. Please email the PI with any inquiries.

Though part of the Department of Dermatology, the Nanes Lab is physically located in the Cecil H and Ida Green Center for Systems Biology, a uniquely interdisciplinary center focused on understanding the molecular circuits governing cell behavior. The Nanes Lab is fully integrated into a shared cluster of labs studying cell morphology in cancer metastasis and drug resistance (Danuser and Isogai) and developing next-generation microscopy pipelines to visualize molecular processes in real time (Dean, Fiolka, and Chang). This environment fosters creative, original thinking with access to a broad palette of expertise and techniques.

Postdoctoral Researcher in skin development, wound healing, and cancer

A postdoctoral training position is available in the Nanes Laboratory at UT Southwestern Medical Center to drive cutting-edge research advancing our understanding of the cytoskeleton and skin biology. Our lab studies the molecular circuits balancing stability and plasticity in barrier tissues such as the skin using cell culture, organoids, animal models, and human tissue. Areas of particular interest include wound healing, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, epithelial specialization, and inherited skin diseases caused by mutations in cytoskeleton genes. Because the cytoskeleton is a complex system with multiple redundant and interacting components, traditional animal knockout and biochemical methods have left important questions unanswered. Therefore, our approach focuses on quantitative, minimal-intervention methods and high-resolution microscopy to directly probe the molecular circuits underlying complex epithelial tissue behaviors.

To support our uniquely interdisciplinary approach, the Nanes Laboratory is part of both the Department of Dermatology and the Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Systems Biology in the Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics. The lab is located within the open research environment of the Center for Systems Biology, facilitating close collaboration with our partners in the Danuser (cancer metastasis and drug resistance), Fiolka (light sheet microscope design and construction), and Dean (tissue clearing and expansion microscopy) labs. Lab members have full access to the equipment, computational, and intellectual resources of each lab.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will be responsible for developing and carrying out independent research projects under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and in collaboration with other members of the lab. Excellent candidates will have completed a PhD or equivalent degree in cell or developmental biology, biomedical engineering, cancer biology, or a related field, with concomitant laboratory experience and publication record. Candidates with an MD or equivalent degree and substantial laboratory research experience will also be considered. Please note that clinical research experience is not relevant for this position. This position is ideal for candidates seeking advanced research training in preparation for an academic or industry career.

This position falls under the highly competitive Postdoctoral Researcher Pay Scale set by the Department of Bioinformatics, with a starting annual salary of $70,000 and an additional competitive fellowship incentive of $20,000. Interested candidates should contact Benjamin Nanes, MD, PhD by email (benjamin.nanes at utsouthwestern dot edu), including a curriculum vitae, statement of research interest, and names and contact information of three references.

Additional Information

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