Postdoctoral Fellow– RNA Therapeutics and AI in Metabolic Disease

A postdoctoral fellow position is available in Haiming Cao’s laboratory in the Cardiovascular Branch of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), NIH. The Cao lab integrates artificial intelligence (AI) with experimental biology to develop RNA therapeutics for obesity, diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Our ongoing projects focus on building interdisciplinary pipelines to identify effective RNA drugs against human diseases:

1. AI-driven RNA discovery – using AI agents to prioritize the therapeutic potential of human lncRNAs (supported by the NHLBI Bioinformatics Core and Office of AI Research, with opportunities for all fellows to develop their own computational skills).
2. Experimental validation – evaluating RNA drug candidates using cell-based assays, conventional mouse models and humanized mice with chimeric livers.

These studies build on our recent publications (Cell Metab. 2015; Cell Metab. 2016; Nat. Commun. 2020; JCI 2021; J. Hepatol. 2023; Gastroenterology 2025; JCI 2025).

Resources and Environment

The Cao lab provides access to:

• State-of-the-art NIH core facilities for mouse transgenics, human iPS cells, high-throughput sequencing, proteomics, advanced microscopy, animal surgery, bioinformatics, and AI research.
• Microsoft Azure cloud platform, OpenAI API, and Relevance AI for building AI agents.
• Biowulf, one of the world’s largest biomedical high-performance computing clusters (>105,000 processors).

This unique interdisciplinary environment emphasizes the integration of AI in life sciences, offering an outstanding platform for recent Ph.D. graduates to strengthen their research profile and prepare for an independent academic career.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.D. (within the past five years) in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Physiology, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or related fields.
• Experience in mouse models of metabolic disorders, RNA biology, bioinformatics, or AI is desirable but not required.
• Strong research track record is prioritized over field-specific experience.

SALARY/BENEFITS

These positions are fully supported by NIH intramural funds and successful candidates will be offered competitive stipend/health insurance commensurate with experience and accomplishments.

Applicants should send curriculum vitae and 3 letters of reference via email to:

Haiming Cao, PhD

Senior Investigator

NHLBI, National Institutes of Health

10 Center Dr, Building 10, 8N109

Bethesda, MD 20892

Phone: 301-402-9032

Fax:   301-480-0360

Email: haiming.cao@nih.gov

Applications from women, minorities and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged. HHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers.