Post-Doctoral Research Fellow - Neurology

A Brief Overview

Assume responsibility for an on-going, innovative research project as a Postdoctoral Fellow at CHOP. Our postdoc experience will broaden your skillset, scientific background, and research capabilities.

CHOP's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
CHOP is committed to building an inclusive culture where employees feel a sense of belonging, connection, and community within their workplace. We are a team dedicated to fostering an environment that allows for all to be their authentic selves. We are focused on attracting, cultivating, and retaining diverse talent who can help us deliver on our mission to be a world leader in the advancement of healthcare for children.

We strongly encourage all candidates of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

About the laboratory

The Qian Lab, located in the BRIDGE Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and affiliated with the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania, is dedicated to understanding how the human cerebral cortex develops, and how this process can go awry in neurodevelopmental disorders. Our research aims to decode the cellular and molecular logic of cortical development, with the ultimate goal of identifying new therapeutic entry points for conditions such as congenital brain malformations and autism spectrum disorder.

The lab is led by Dr. Xuyu Qian, a tenure-track Assistant Professor whose work integrates human brain organoids, spatial transcriptomics, and human genetics to investigate features that are uniquely human and often inaccessible by traditional model systems. Dr. Qian has developed two complementary research directions that form the scientific foundation of the lab. He pioneered the development and application of brain organoid models to investigate human neurological diseases in patient-derived and genetically engineered systems. In parallel, he has analyzed developing human brain tissues using single-cell spatial omics, generating an extensive atlas that revealed how distinct cortical layers areas emerge during development. Future projects in the lab will build upon these pipelines to further understand human cortical development and its disruption in diseases such as congenital brain malformation and autism spectrum disorder.

Foralist ofthepast worksee:

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=iRSTuAoAAAAJ&hl=en

Position Overview

The Qian Lab is seeking a highly motivated and creative Postdoctoral Fellow to lead and contribute to cutting-edge research projects focused on human brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders. Under the guidance of Dr. Xuyu Qian, fellows will drive hypothesis-driven research that builds upon established pipelines, while also having the opportunity to innovate and explore new directions.

Projects are supported by Dr. Qian's start-up funding from CHOP as well as active NIH and foundation grants. The postdoc will work independently on at least one core project while contributing to the broader mission of the lab. In addition to advancing their own research, fellows will have the opportunity to mentor junior lab members, contribute to collaborative initiatives, and help shape the scientific environment of a growing research group.

The position offers robust professional development, including training in advanced experimental and computational techniques, scientific writing, and grant preparation. Fellows will be encouraged to present their work at national and international conferences and will have access to the rich training environment offered by CHOP and Penn, including specialized workshops, seminars, and career development resources.

This position is ideal for candidates seeking to deepen their expertise in developmental neuroscience, human genetics, stem cell biology, and single-cell omics, while preparing for independent research careers in academia or industry.

Responsibilities

The Postdoctoral Fellow will take an active role in both independent and collaborative research, contributing to the scientific mission of the Qian Lab while advancing their own professional development. Responsibilities include:

• Designing and executing research projects with guidance from the PI, including project planning, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Performing wet lab experiments (e.g., stem cell/organoid culture, molecular assays, imaging) or computational analyses (e.g., transcriptomics, spatial data analysis), depending on expertise and project needs.
• Developing and optimizing novel experimental and/or analytical methods.
• Preparing manuscripts for publication and contributing to grant proposals.
• Participating in lab meetings, institutional seminars, journal clubs, and national conferences.
• Mentoring and training junior lab members, including research assistants, students, or interns.
• Collaborating on additional projects across the lab as needed.
• Participate in project planning, recording, and evaluation of data.
• Conduct independent scholarly research, developing new methods and protocols under the guidance of a mentor (principal investigator).
• Acquire technical, lab management, and grant writing skills.
• Participate in seminars, lectures, poster sessions, national presentations, and professional workshops.
• Supervise junior lab members.
• Assist with other research projects as needed.

Education

• Required: Doctorate

Preferred Education & Experience

• Background in neuroscience, stem cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, computational biology, bioinformatics, or related fields.
• Expertise in either experimental (wet lab), computational (dry lab), or integrative (wet + dry) approaches is welcome.
• Strong motivation, scientific curiosity, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Soon-to-be Ph.D. graduates who are nearing completion of their doctoral training are encouraged to apply.