Work type: Full-time

Department: School of Biomedical Sciences (22600)

Categories: Senior Research Staff & Post-doctoral Fellow

Applications are invited for appointment as Post-doctoral Fellow in the School of Biomedical Sciences (Ref.: 526738), to commence as soon as possible for one year, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. degree, preferably in pluripotent stem cell biology, cellular reprogramming or bioinformatics, with excellent experimentation, writing, and communication skills.

The appointee will contribute to a collaborative research project to investigate how the transcription factors that regulate pluripotent stem cells evolved at the dawn of animal multicellularity.

The emergence of the first multicellular animals approximately 700 million years ago marks a significant milestone in the history of life and our own species. The genetic and molecular toolkit of multicellular animals and their closest unicellular relatives show notable similarities. However, the precise molecular mechanisms that facilitated the evolution of animal multicellularity, as we understand it today, remain unknown. To address this, we will analyze candidate transcription factor families and their mutations through biochemical assays, sequence analysis, and the induction of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Through these methods, our aim is to uncover the molecular innovations that played a crucial role in the emergence of animals. For further information, please contact Prof. Jauch at ralf@hku.hk or visit the pages of Prof. Jauch at https://www.sbms.hku.hk/staff/ralf-jauch.

A highly competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be offered, in addition to annual leave and medical benefits.

The University only accepts online applications for the above post. Applicants should apply online and upload an up-to-date C.V. Review of applications will start as soon as possible and continue until July 31, 2024, or until the post is filled, whichever is earlier.