Postdoctoral Associate in Biology (Duke University )

Position Details Job Title: Postdoctoral Associate Location: Durham, NC, US 27710 School/Department: School of Medicine – Department of Cell Biology, Tata Lab Work Arrangement: Onsite Requisition Number: 266941 Employment Type: Regular Date Posted: March 5, 2026 Appointment Term: Minimum one year, renewable; limited to 5 years with possible extension for one additional year About the Lab The Tata lab studies cellular plasticity mechanisms in lung injury repair and tumorigenesis, focusing on: Genetic and epigenetic basis of organ regeneration and cancer Properties of stem/progenitor cells in epithelial tissues (primary focus: lung) Interactions between tissues in pathophysiological conditions Research Methods Include: In vivo mouse genetics Live imaging and 3D organoids Genome-wide Cas9/CRISPR functional screens Next-generation sequencing and single-cell analysis Lab Website: https://www.cellbio.duke.edu/purushothama-rao-tata/ Responsibilities Design, perform, and analyze experiments Interpret and discuss results with the PI Assist graduate and undergraduate students in the lab Write and submit manuscripts Apply for postdoctoral fellowships and contribute to larger lab grants Expectations: Adhere to standards of responsible conduct in research Maintain lab records/notebooks Follow safety and compliance protocols (chemicals, isotopes, animals, human subjects, etc.) Open communication with mentor Collegial conduct and professionalism Intellectual property disclosure Qualifications Minimum Requirements: Ph.D. or equivalent (Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M.) in biological sciences or related field Degree requirements may be met but not yet conferred Preferred Qualifications: Strong background in transcriptional regulation, cell biology, molecular biology, mouse models, and biochemistry Experience with stem cells, Cas9/CRISPR, 3D organoid cultures, chromatin biology, bioinformatics Evidence of successful research (publications) Independent work, data interpretation, and communication skills Other Requirements: Eligibility for postdoctoral fellowship registration at Duke Research-focused appointment (may include teaching responsibilities) Preparatory for academic/research career Freedom to publish research outcomes Salary Commensurate with NIH guidelines and applicant experience Application Instructions Submit via email to: purushothamarao.tata@duke.edu Include: CV, statement of interest, relevant manuscripts, and names of three references Apply online: Duke University Jobs Portal Screening continues until position is filled Equal Opportunity Statement Duke University is an Equal Opportunity Employer Employment is offered without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender identity/expression, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or military status Duke values collaboration, innovation, creativity, and inclusion Physical Job Functions May require specific physical or mental abilities; accommodations provided per department If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Bioloxy

Position Details

Job Title: Postdoctoral Associate
Location: Durham, NC, US 27710
School/Department: School of Medicine – Department of Cell Biology, Tata Lab
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Requisition Number: 266941
Employment Type: Regular
Date Posted: March 5, 2026
Appointment Term: Minimum one year, renewable; limited to 5 years with possible extension for one additional year

About the Lab

The Tata lab studies cellular plasticity mechanisms in lung injury repair and tumorigenesis, focusing on:

Genetic and epigenetic basis of organ regeneration and cancer
Properties of stem/progenitor cells in epithelial tissues (primary focus: lung)
Interactions between tissues in pathophysiological conditions

Research Methods Include:

In vivo mouse genetics
Live imaging and 3D organoids
Genome-wide Cas9/CRISPR functional screens
Next-generation sequencing and single-cell analysis

Lab Website: https://www.cellbio.duke.edu/purushothama-rao-tata/

Responsibilities

Design, perform, and analyze experiments
Interpret and discuss results with the PI
Assist graduate and undergraduate students in the lab
Write and submit manuscripts
Apply for postdoctoral fellowships and contribute to larger lab grants

Expectations:

Adhere to standards of responsible conduct in research
Maintain lab records/notebooks
Follow safety and compliance protocols (chemicals, isotopes, animals, human subjects, etc.)
Open communication with mentor
Collegial conduct and professionalism
Intellectual property disclosure

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Ph.D. or equivalent (Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M.) in biological sciences or related field
Degree requirements may be met but not yet conferred

Preferred Qualifications:

Strong background in transcriptional regulation, cell biology, molecular biology, mouse models, and biochemistry
Experience with stem cells, Cas9/CRISPR, 3D organoid cultures, chromatin biology, bioinformatics
Evidence of successful research (publications)
Independent work, data interpretation, and communication skills

Other Requirements:

Eligibility for postdoctoral fellowship registration at Duke
Research-focused appointment (may include teaching responsibilities)
Preparatory for academic/research career
Freedom to publish research outcomes

Salary

Commensurate with NIH guidelines and applicant experience

Application Instructions

Submit via email to: purushothamarao.tata@duke.edu
Include: CV, statement of interest, relevant manuscripts, and names of three references
Apply online: Duke University Jobs Portal
Screening continues until position is filled

Equal Opportunity Statement

Duke University is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Employment is offered without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender identity/expression, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or military status
Duke values collaboration, innovation, creativity, and inclusion