Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Biology, Genome Editing, and Genome Integrity 

Overview

Versiti is a fusion of donors, scientific curiosity, and precision medicine that recognize the gifts of blood and life are precious. We are home to the world-renowned Blood Research Institute, we enable life saving gifts from our donors, and provide the science behind the medicine through our diagnostic laboratories. Versiti brings together outstanding minds with unparalleled experience in transfusion medicine, transplantation, stem cells and cellular therapies, oncology and genomics, diagnostic lab services, and medical and scientific expertise. This combination of skill and knowledge results in improved patient outcomes, higher quality services and reduced cost of care for hospitals, blood centers, hospital systems, research and educational institutions, and other health care providers. At Versiti, we are passionate about improving the lives of patients and helping our healthcare partners thrive.

Position Summary

We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join a research program investigating how human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) respond to therapeutic genome editing. The lab studies the cellular mechanisms that determine the safety, functional consequences, and long-term outcomes of genetic interventions in hematopoietic stem cells. 

This research program integrates stem cell biology, DNA damage responses, cell-cycle regulation, mitotic signaling, functional genomics, and genome engineering. Current projects investigate how genome editing influences mitotic surveillance and chromosome integrity, how cell-cycle and signaling pathways regulate HSPC responses to genetic perturbation, and whether genome editing produces persistent changes in epigenetic state and cellular memory. 

The work is supported by NIH-funded research projects and collaborative investigations and uses primary human CD34+ HSPCs, genome-editing systems, molecular and cellular analyses, and functional assays. The overarching goal is to understand the biological processes that determine whether genetically modified stem cells maintain genomic integrity, preserve stem cell function, and contribute to durable therapeutic outcomes. 

 

The postdoctoral fellow will lead mechanistic studies investigating how genome editing affects HSPC signaling, cell-cycle progression, mitotic behavior, and subsequent cell fate. Projects will examine how DNA damage responses intersect with cell-cycle checkpoints and mitotic surveillance, including the regulation and localization of proteins involved in chromosome segregation and genome maintenance. 

A related research direction investigates how genome editing influences epigenetic state and whether these changes persist through cell division, potentially establishing a form of cellular memory following genome editing. 

The fellow will have opportunities to contribute to multiple interconnected projects, including NIH-funded research and collaborative studies, while developing an independent research direction within the broader program. The position is designed for a scientist interested in mechanistic questions at the intersection of stem cell biology, genome integrity, and therapeutic genome engineering.  

 

Research Environment 

The fellow will join an interdisciplinary research environment at the Versiti Blood Research Institute and Medical College of Wisconsin, with access to expertise and shared resources in hematopoiesis, genome engineering, flow cytometry, single-cell genomics, and advanced microscopy. The laboratory emphasizes rigorous mechanistic science, collaborative research, and the development of independent scientific investigators. 

Total Rewards Package

CompensationThe target salary is based on internal averages. Versiti sets salary ranges aligned to local markets in which the job is performed. Compensation decisions take into account internal salary averages and differentiation based on education, experience, skills, and performance. Specific salary and benefits information is shared at the time of the phone screening based on your location and qualifications.BenefitsVersiti provides a comprehensive benefits package based on your job classification. Full-time regular employes are eligible for Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans, Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays, Short- and Long-term disability, life insurance, 7% match dollar for dollar 401(k), voluntary programs, discount programs, others.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute hypothesis-driven studies examining cellular responses to genome editing in human HSPCs. 
• Investigate DNA damage responses, cell-cycle regulation, mitotic signaling, and chromosome segregation following genetic perturbation. 

• Characterize cellular outcomes of genome editing, including micronucleus formation, chromosome abnormalities, cell-cycle progression, and cell fate. 

• Apply genome-editing approaches, molecular biology, flow cytometry, imaging, and functional assays to investigate mechanisms of HSPC stress responses. 

• Investigate changes in chromatin organization, epigenetic regulation, and persistence of cellular states following genome editing. 

• Work with primary human CD34+ HSPCs and relevant hematopoietic model systems. 

• Integrate molecular, cellular, and genomic datasets to develop and test mechanistic hypotheses. 

• Interpret results, refine experimental approaches, and establish new directions in collaboration with the PI and research collaborators. 

• Prepare manuscripts, present findings at scientific meetings, and contribute to grant development. 

• Contribute to mentoring junior trainees and maintaining a collaborative research environment.

Qualifications

Required: 

• Ph.D. in cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, hematology, stem cell biology, or a related discipline. 

• Strong background in cellular or molecular mechanisms of cell-cycle regulation, DNA damage responses, chromosome biology, or stem cell biology. 

• Demonstrated ability to design and execute hypothesis-driven research projects. 

• Track record of peer-reviewed publications. 

• Experience with molecular and cellular biology techniques and quantitative experimental approaches. 

• Experience with flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, or live-cell imaging. 

• Strong critical-thinking, communication, and scientific writing skills. 

 

Preferred: 

• Experience with hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells or other primary stem cell systems. 

• Experience with CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing. 

• Background in mitosis, chromosome segregation, DNA damage signaling, or cell-cycle checkpoint regulation. 

• Familiarity with chromatin biology, epigenetic regulation, or functional genomics. 

• Experience analyzing genomic or transcriptomic datasets. 

• Proficiency in R, Python, or other tools for quantitative data analysis. 

 

Additional Attributes 

• Strong interest in fundamental mechanisms of stem cell biology and genome integrity. 

• Ability to think beyond experimental outcomes to develop mechanistic explanations. 

• Initiative in identifying new research questions and taking intellectual ownership of projects. 

• Willingness to engage in rigorous discussion, constructive feedback, and collaborative problem-solving. 

• Interest in developing scientific independence, manuscript preparation, grant writing, and mentorship skills.