Postdoctoral Associate

School of Medicine:

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Be You.

The Silver lab at Duke University School of Medicine seeks a highly motivated postdoctoral research fellow for a fully funded position in our lab. Our lab investigates mechanisms by which the brain is assembled during embryonic development, as well as how development is disrupted in neurodevelopmental disease and co-opted during brain evolution. We employ a multifaceted strategy to bridge developmental neurobiology, RNA biology, and evolution.

We are especially interested in understanding:

1. How does post-transcriptional control shape neural cell fate and disease? We have discovered canonical and non-canonical mechanisms by which RNA regulation controls development and disease. (Eg. PLoS Genetics, 2025 and Cell Reports, 2024).
2. How are sub-cellular functions and gene expression compartmentalized in cortical progenitors? We have discovered that mRNA localization and local translation in polarized neural progenitors is essential for development. (Eg. Neuron, 2023 and bioRxiv, 2025).
3. How is human-specific brain development achieved? We have discovered human-specific enhancers that control neural progenitor potency and brain size. (Eg. Nature, 2025 and Cell Stem Cell, 2026).

Learn more about our interests, motivations and discoveries: https://sites.duke.edu/silverlab/. We are especially interested in candidates excited to contribute to a new NIH program project with other Duke labs on kinase signaling across development.  

Minimum Requirements: 

• PhD in Neurobiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related field

This position is: 

• Onsite. The work is performed on-site or at a designated assignment location.

Be Bold.

The successful applicant must be highly motivated, hard-working, collaborative, and passionate about brain development. Successful applicants must have a strong scientific record of productivity and creativity. Previous experience in cortical development is a plus, but not a prerequisite. However, experience in relevant fields of developmental neurobiology, RNA biology, organoids, or mouse genetics is helpful.

Choose Duke

Why our lab and why Duke? The successful postdoctoral fellow will have the exciting opportunity to implement and integrate cutting edge approaches including: mouse genetics, pluripotent stem cells, organoids, fixed and live imaging, and functional genomics. They will gain conceptual and technical training in cortical development and in professional skills such as grant writing and presentations. Our lab offers a vibrant, rigorous, and supportive training environment, with a team of researchers passionate about brain development. We collaborate extensively with labs internationally and at Duke, and are a member of the Departments of Cell Biology, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Neurobiology, the Duke Center for RNA Biology, the Duke Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, and Institute for Brain Sciences. Postdocs can take advantage of professional development opportunities at the Office of Postdoctoral Services as well as outstanding benefits. Duke University is in Durham within the Research Triangle, an affordable, vibrant and growing community. Learn more here: https://research.duke.edu/prospective-postdocs/.

Job Code: 00003820 POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE

Job Level: 00

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

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Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.