We Are Hiring

Interested applicants should send a current CV and 2-3 contacts for reference letters, to Chris Sturgeon (christopher.sturgeon@mssm.edu)

Multiple postdoctoral positions are available in the laboratory of Dr. Christopher Sturgeon, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in New York, NY. Each position is fully funded for 3 years, with the potential for renewal. As part of the Black Family Stem Cell Institute, we are very interested in the regenerative medicine capacity of human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells (hESCs and iPSCs), and their directed differentiation towards hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.

Several research projects are available, ranging from the transcriptional and epigenetic control of hematopoietic specification, to the adoptive immunotherapy potential of various immune cells derived from hESCs. Techniques involved include hPSC differentiation, scRNAseq and bioinformatics, murine embryology, and xenografts of human hematopoietic populations.

Example projects include:

HSC development. We have characterized an extensive developmental roadmap, charting the progression of human pluripotent stem cells as they differentiate towards hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs; see Ditadi et al., Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 18:56). Using combined directed differentiation strategies, murine embryo models, and bioinformatics, we aim to understand the molecular regulation of hemogenic endothelium and hematopoietic development.

Translational potential of HSC-independent hematopoietic lineages. Using our directed differentiation strategies, we have identified several HSC-independent hematopoietic lineages with unique functional properties. For example, we have recently identified a unique population of natural killer (NK) cells in the early mammalian yolk sac, which harbor potent cytotoxic activity (see Dege et al., Dev Cell 53:229). We now aim to characterize the regulation and translational potential of each of these lineages, using in vitro and in vivo models.

Motivated postdocs will have many opportunities to attend major conferences, have a competitive salary, career development training and the ability to develop independent collaborations. Applicants should have a PhD or MD, and be capable of managing their own projects as well as collaborating both within the Sturgeon laboratory, and with other local groups. Strong verbal and written English communication skills are essential. While a background in hematopoiesis, immunology, or developmental biology is preferred, these are not required.

Our Location

1425 Madison Avenue
New York, New York