Research Fellow   
School    Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Department/Area    Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity
Position Description    

Two Postdoctoral positions are available in the joint laboratory of Dr. Baron and Dr. Gori, Division of Bone and Mineral Research, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School/ Harvard School of Dental Medicine. The longstanding interest of our laboratory is to understand the molecular, cellular and genetic basis of bone growth and remodeling and the regulation of skeletal homeostasis in health and disease in humans, using animal models. 

The focus of one of these positions is to study the biology of the periosteal surface. In particular, our objective is to identify the role of Sfrp4, a Wnt signaling inhibitor we have shown to be implicated in Pyle’disease, in the expansion, differentiation and/or function of periosteal stem and osteoprogenitor cells.

The focus of the other position is to examine novel signaling mechanisms by which PTH regulates Wnt signaling, increases bone formation rate and represses bone marrow adipose tissue and its role in the anabolic action of PTH/PTHrP in bone. A separate aspect of this work is to understand the role of osteocyte biology in the responses to PTH/PTHrP.

Our laboratory aims for excellence in research and makes all efforts to publishing its work in the top tier scientific and medical journals. Training of young scientists is also a key aspect of our laboratory, with a very successful history.

The Baron/Gori laboratory is currently funded by three NIH institutes: NIDCR (Gori), NIDDK and NIAMS (Baron) as well as by other sources. This is an annual position subject to renewal dependent on funding.

Basic Qualifications    
The applicants must have a PhD degree. Combined MD/PhD or DDS-DMD/PhD degrees are a plus.

Additional Qualifications    
We seek highly motivated young scientists who can work independently with strong written and oral communication skills. These projects involve the use of genetically engineered mice, cell and molecular biology and bioinformatic techniques as well as culture of primary cells and cell lines. Commensurate with experience, first author publication(s) in top-tier bone and/or cell and molecular biology journals, expertise in signal transduction analysis, FACS analysis and/or large-scale data analysis, specifically bulk and single cell RNA-seq, will be considered a plus. Prior experience in skeletal research in addition to the above skills is a plus but not a requirement.

Special Instructions    
To apply for this position, please email a cover letter, C.V. and three reference contacts to:

Francesca_gori@hsdm.harvard.edu and Roland_Baron@hms.harvard.edu

Contact Information    
Paula Anderson
Department Administrator
HSDM
188 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115

Contact Email    paula_anderson@hsdm.harvard.edu

Equal Opportunity Employer    
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.

Minimum Number of References Required    3 
Maximum Number of References Allowed    5