Postdoctoral Fellow- Schorn 03023-R

A post-doctoral position is available at the Schorn lab, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, NY. We are interested in how small RNAs identify and silence transposable elements when they become active during mammalian development and disease.

We found that tRNA fragments (tRF) derived from the 3’-end of mature tRNAs are highly expressed in cells undergoing epigenetic reprogramming and target LTR-retroelements, or endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), at their conserved tRNA primer binding site (PBS). Due to the perfect sequence complementarity of 3’-tRFs to the PBS, they have tens of thousands of targets in mammalian genomes. 3’-tRFs are processed under yet unknown conditions and potentially protect many eukaryotes. This is an exciting new field with many opportunities! We believe tRFs are an ancient link between RNAi, transposons and genome stability.

We are determining the intersection of tRFs with other small RNA silencing pathways and their effect on pluripotency and differentiation. Our main tools are cell culture transposition assays, long & small RNA sequencing, chromatin IPs, NGS analysis of repetitive sequences, CRISPR, etc.

Selected publications:

• Schorn AJ, Gutbrod MJ, LeBlanc C, Martienssen R. LTR-Retrotransposon Control by tRNA-Derived Small RNAs. Cell 2017 Jun 29; 170(1):61-71
• Schorn AJ, Martienssen R. Tie-Break: Host and Retrotransposons Play tRNA. Trends in Cell Biology 2018 Oct; 28(10):793-806
• Cullen H, Schorn AJ. Endogenous Retroviruses Walk a Fine Line between Priming and Silencing. Viruses2020;12(8):E792
• He C, Bozler J, Janssen KA, Wilusz JE, Garcia BA, Schorn AJ & Bonasio R. TET2 chemically modifies tRNAs and regulates tRNA fragment levels. Nature Struct Mol Biol 2021 Jan;28(1):62-70

  Environment

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is a world-renowned biomedical research institution in New York. It has shaped contemporary biomedical research and is the home of eight Nobel Prize laureates. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory provides a highly dynamic and interactive research environment and also a unique opportunity of timely exposure to advances in various biomedical research fields and of interaction with a broad range of researchers from all over the world through its renowned Meetings and Courses program.

We believe that science is for everyone. We have had researchers with a variety of backgrounds and believe in the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Please email Dr. Schorn with your interests, CV, and contact information of three references: aschorn@cshl.edu . In addition, candidates should upload their application online at: https://cshl.peopleadmin.com/postings/18653  Position ID: 03023-R

Candidates from non-traditional and/or underrepresented backgrounds, broadly defined, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, paid time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our CSHL Benefits  & Postdoctoral Landing  sites to learn more.

You are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition to your employment at the Laboratory. You will be required to provide proof of your vaccination on your first day of employment. For those individuals, who are unable to receive a vaccine due to access issues, they will be expected to receive the vaccine upon arrival in New York.

CSHL is an EO/AA Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status. VEVRAA Federal Contractor