Postdoctoral Fellow in Functional Genomics and Human Disease Mechanisms

Indiana University
Indiana University

Bloomington, IN, USA

Posted on Oct 9, 2026

Posting Details

Position Details
Title Postdoctoral Fellow in Functional Genomics and Human Disease Mechanisms
Specific Title
Appointment Type Postdoctoral Fellow
Department IUSM - Medical & Molecular Genetics
Campus IU School of Medicine Indianapolis
Position Summary
The Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics at Indiana University School of Medicine is seeking a highly motivated and creative Postdoctoral Fellow in Functional Genomics and Human Disease Mechanisms to join the Azaiez-Booth Laboratory in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Our laboratory uses human genetics and functional genomics to understand how disruption of genes, transcripts, and regulatory elements produces human disease. A central goal of the laboratory is to move beyond genetic association or variant annotation to experimentally determine the molecular and cellular consequences of disease-associated genomic variation.
The successful candidate will lead mechanistic studies investigating genes and regulatory loci implicated through human genomic analyses. One major area of investigation involves long noncoding RNAs and regulatory genomic regions disrupted by structural variation, although the position is intentionally broader than lncRNA biology. The fellow will have opportunities to pursue diverse projects in which human genetic discoveries create compelling biological questions that require experimental investigation.
This position is particularly well suited for a scientist interested in mechanistic biology, developmental or cellular genetics, and translating human genomic findings into experimentally testable models.

Research Opportunities
Projects may include:
· Functional characterization of disease-associated genes, noncoding transcripts, and regulatory elements.
· Investigation of structural variants that alter gene regulation or disrupt noncoding genomic loci.
· Development of cellular models for studying candidate disease mechanisms.
· CRISPR/Cas-mediated genetic perturbation and genome engineering.
· Gene-expression and regulatory studies.
· Transcriptomic and other genomic approaches for defining downstream consequences of genetic perturbation.
· Mechanistic investigation of genes emerging from human gene-discovery studies.
· Functional follow-up of candidate disease genes requiring additional experimental evidence.
· Integration of molecular and cellular findings with human genetic and phenotypic data.
A particular strength of this position will be the opportunity to work across both deep mechanistic projects and focused functional studies arising from ongoing gene-discovery efforts. This structure allows the fellow to develop a major hypothesis-driven research direction while also contributing to shorter, high-value projects that can rapidly generate biological insight.
This work will include in vivo studies using mouse models along with cell- and molecular-based assays. Prior animal research experience is preferred but not required; however, candidates must be willing to work with mice and to learn the animal-handling and experimental procedures necessary for their projects.

Training and Career Development
Postdoctoral fellows will receive close mentorship while being encouraged to develop increasing scientific independence. Training will emphasize formulation of research questions, rigorous experimental design, manuscript preparation, scientific presentation, fellowship and grant writing, mentoring of junior researchers, and development of an independent research program.
The fellow will have opportunities to collaborate broadly with investigators in human genetics, clinical genetics, genomics, molecular biology, and related disciplines across Indiana University School of Medicine and collaborating institutions.
We especially encourage applicants who want to build a research career connecting human genomic discovery with experimental disease biology. Fellows will be supported in developing independent questions and preliminary data that can form the basis for future fellowship, career-development, and independent research applications.
IU School of Medicine is committed to being a welcoming campus community, and we seek candidates whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments for students, staff, and faculty. We invite individuals who will join us in our mission to improve health and well-being throughout the state of Indiana.

Department Contact for Questions
Applicants should submit:
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Letter of application, including brief statement of research interests and career goals
  • Contact information for three references
Through the Indiana University academic careers portal via this link
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Basic Qualifications
Qualifications
Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in genetics, molecular biology, developmental biology, cell biology, genomics, neuroscience, biomedical sciences, or a related field by the start of the appointment.
We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:
· Functional genetics or functional genomics.
· Mammalian cell culture.
· CRISPR/Cas genome editing.
· Developmental or cellular disease models.
· RNA biology.
· Gene-expression or transcriptional regulation.
· Noncoding RNA or regulatory genomics.
· Structural variation.
· Transcriptomics or other sequencing-based approaches.
· Molecular cloning and biochemical assays.
Expertise specifically in lncRNA biology is not required. Candidates with a strong background in experimental genetics or molecular and cellular biology who are interested in applying their expertise to human disease mechanisms are strongly encouraged to apply.
The ideal candidate will be intellectually curious, experimentally rigorous, and comfortable moving between genetic observations and mechanistic questions. The ability to independently design experiments, interpret complex results, troubleshoot experimental systems, and communicate findings clearly will be important for success.
Department Contact for Questions
Questions regarding the position and application materials may be directed to: Dr. Hela Azaiez, PhD (hazaiez@iu.edu) and Dr. Kevin T.A. Booth PhD, FACMG (kevbooth@iu.edu).
Additional Qualifications
Special Instructions
Priority Application Review Deadline
Expected Start Date
Posting Number IUSM-02534-2026

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * How did you hear about this position?
    • Personal Contact: At Professional Meeting or Conference
    • Personal Contact: Direct Contact by Search Committee
    • Personal Contact: Referred by colleague or advisor
    • Personal Contact: School of Medicine recruiter
    • Personal Contact: IUHP Physician Recruiter
    • Announcement: Other Journal or Magazine
    • Announcement: Other Website
  2. * Are you a dual career partner (your partner or spouse is already being recruited)?
    • Yes
    • No
  3. * Have you previously been employed with IU?
    • Yes
    • No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents
  1. Curriculum Vitae
  2. Letter of Application
Optional Documents
  1. List Of References
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