A postdoctoral position is available immediately in Yang Chai’s laboratory at the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California in Los Angeles. We are interested in the regulation of developmental patterning, organogenesis and mesenchymal stem cells. Our studies will seek to define molecular mechanisms governing both normal and abnormal craniofacial development, providing scientific rationales for future therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat craniofacial birth defects.  The candidate must have a PhD and be experienced with molecular and developmental biology.

Send application, resume and three letters of recommendation to Dr. Yang Chai (ychai@usc.edu).  EOE/AA

Our recent publications:

  1. Li, J., Parada, C., and Chai, Y. (2017) Cellular and Molecular Regulatory Mechanism of Tooth Root Development. Development, 144, 374-384.
  2. Zhao, H., Feng, J., Ho, T. V., Grimes, W. C., Urata, M., and Chai, Y. (2015) The suture provides a niche for mesenchymal stem cells of craniofacial bones. Nature Cell Biology, 17, 386-396. PMCID: PMC4380556
  3. Li, J., Feng, J., Liu, Y., Ho, T., Grimes, W., Ho, H., Park, S., Wang, S., and Chai, Y. (2015) BMP-SHH signaling network controls epithelial stem cell fate via regulation of its niche in the developing tooth. Developmental Cell, 33, 125-135. PMCID: PMC4406846
  4. Zhao, H., Feng, J., Seidel, K., Shi, S., Klein, O., Sharpe, P., and Chai, Y. (2014) Secretion of Shh by a neurovascular bundle niche supports mesenchymal stem cell homeostasis in the adult mouse incisor. Cell Stem Cell 14, 160-173. PMCID:PMC3951379
  5. Iwata, J., Suzuki, A., Pelikan, R., Ho, T., Sanchez-Lara, P., Chai, Y. (2014) Modulation of lipid metabolic defects rescues cleft palate in Tgfbr2 mutant mice. Human Molecular Genetics, 23, 182-193. PMCID: PMC3857953
  6. Iwata, J., Hacia, J., Suzuki, A., Sanchez-Lara, P., Urata, M., and Chai, Y. (2012) Modulation of non-canonical TGF-b signaling prevents cleft palate in Tgfbr2 mutant mice. Journal of Clinical Investigation 122, 873-885. PMCID: PMC3287237