Postdoctoral position in Embryonic Stem Cell Biology and Early Embryonic Development

The Ruiz lab is offering two fully funded postdoctoral positions up to five years in the Laboratory of Genome Integrity located at the National Institutes of Health (NIH, Bethesda, MD). NIH is the largest biomedical research agency in the world, fosters world-renowned researchers and provides access to state-of-the art innovative technologies and scientific resources.

Our laboratory uses human and mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) as well as mouse embryos to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying cell fate decisions. The applicant should have or about to have a PhD in Developmental Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology or similar, and must have demonstrated expertise on molecular biology/mammalian cell culture (preferably in embryonic stem cells). Knowledge in mouse embryology, single-cell RNAseq, chromatin architecture and/or next generation sequencing technologies will be considered as an advantage.

The applicant will be involved in a variety of exciting projects studying cell plasticity/totipotency to explore the underlying mechanisms of new regulators of Zygotic Genome Activation. We seek highly motivated, creative individuals, eager to learn and develop new technologies and complex cell systems based on live cell/embryo imaging, single-cell technologies and CRISPR-based editing interested in understanding how a single cell can develop into a complex multicellular organism in vitro and in vivo.

Please send a brief cover letter, CV and the name of three references via e-mail to:

Email: sergio.ruizmacias@nih.gov

Laboratory web: https://ccr.cancer.gov/Laboratory-of-Genome-Integrity/sergio-ruiz-macias

Recent publications from the lab:

• Vega-Sendino, et al (2021) The ETS Transcription Factor ERF controls the exit from the naïve pluripotent state. Sciences Advances, 7(40): eabg8306.
• Olbrich, T., et al (2021) CTCF is a barrier for 2C-like reprogramming. Nature Communications 12, article number: 4856.
• Vega-Sendino, M., et al (2024) The homeobox transcription factor DUXBL controls exit from totipotency. Nature Genetics, 56, 697–709.
• Saykali, B., et al (2025) Lineage-specific CDK activity dynamics characterize early mammalian development. Cell Reports, 44: 115558.