Post Doctoral Scientist - Congenital Heart Disease Research - Nationwide Children's Hospital

Dr. Mingtao Zhao Lab

Postdoctoral Scientist-Human iPSC model of congenital heart disease (The Zhao Lab, Center for Cardiovascular Research, Nationwide Children’s Hospital/The Ohio State University)

A postdoctoral scientist position is immediately available in Dr. Mingtao Zhao’s laboratory in the Center for Cardiovascular Research at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The Zhao lab is using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, organoids, and single-cell genomics to study the molecular and genetic mechanisms of cardiovascular development and congenital heart disease (Circulation 2024, PMID: 38466780; Circ Res 2023, PMID: 36583388; Stem Cells 2020, PMID: 32232889; PNAS 2017, PMID: 29203658; Circ Res 2017, PMID: 29030344).

The goal of the Zhao lab is to elucidate the cause-consequence relationship of a given genetic variant in the contribution of cardiovascular disease using patient-specific iPSCs that retain all genetic information of the affected patients. The Zhao lab is currently funded by the NIH/NHLBI, Additional Ventures, AHA, and Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

This is a great opportunity for young investigators who aim to establish an independent academic career in the next few years. Successful candidates should have a PhD/MD or equivalent degree (< 3 years after graduation) and should have expertise in cardiac physiology, cardiovascular development, genomics, or organoid biology.

Candidates who have additional expertise in bioinformatics or CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing or tissue engineering would be preferred. Current trainees in the Zhao lab are funded by NIH/NICHD F31 Predoctoral Fellowship, NIH/NHLBI F32 Postdoctoral Fellowship, and AHA Postdoctoral Fellowship. Competitive salary and relocation bonus will be offered for well-qualified candidates. The Center for Cardiovascular Research currently has an NIH-funded T32 postdoctoral program to provide interdisciplinary, translational, and state-of-the-art research training in congenital and acquired heart disease, partnered with The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

• Performing cardiac differentiation and organoid induction
• Design and conduct scientific experiments to obtain data
• Write and publish scientific manuscripts
• Contribute to grant submissions for external funding
• Obtain postdoctoral fellowship and career development award from the AHA and/or NIH

• PhD or equivalent doctorate in Cell/Molecular/Developmental Biology, Cardiovascular Physiology, Genomics or related field
• Desire to pursue a career in biomedical research
• Knowledge of the research process.
• Necessary technical skills in the appropriate area of research.
• Ability to do technical writing and good communication skills.

Minimum Physical Requirements:

Percent of time spent on:

25%     Designing and developing protocols

25%     Performing research work

25%     Recording and analyzing data generated by research study

10%     Writing grant proposals

10%     Preparing scientific and technical papers

03%     Liaison with OSU researchers

02%     Miscellaneous paperwork associated with research

Potential candidates should send their CV (with publication list) and Cover Letter describing future research vision to

Mingtao Zhao, PhD

Principal Investigator

Center for Cardiovascular Research

Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Assistant Professor

Departments of Pediatrics

The Ohio State University College of Medicine

Email: Mingtao.Zhao@nationwidechildrens.org