Associate Researcher I-Psychiatry Dr. Kaji

The laboratory studies human brain development and neuropsychiatric disease using stem cellderived organoids and primary fetal tissue. Current projects focus on:

• Defining how radial glia give rise to hippocampal and neocortical lineages and identifying signaling pathways (e.g. Wnt and beyond) that govern hippocampal subfield specification

• Building and characterizing human hippocampal organoid systems including efforts to engineer missing subfields (e.g. CA1/CA3/DG)

• Identifying conserved molecular and cellular programs across genetic and pharmacologic models of schizophrenia using large-scale single-cell and multiomic datasets

• Modeling neurodevelopmental contributions to schizophrenia through perturbation systems including chronic and acute NMDA receptor inhibition (e.g. ketamine exposure)

• Generating samples for large-scale single-cell and multiomic analyses

The long-term goal is to establish a reproducible high-throughput human organoid platform that enables mechanistic dissection of brain development and convergent disease biology.

This position will support the development and execution of stem cellbased experimental workflows under the guidance of senior laboratory personnel. Responsibilities include:

• Maintenance of human pluripotent stem cell cultures (hiPSCs/hESCs)

• Generation and routine maintenance of 3D brain organoids (neocortical and hippocampal)

• Execution of established differentiation protocols and assistance with optimization of culture conditions

• Implementation of signaling perturbation experiments (e.g. small molecules growth factors)

• Processing of organoid and tissue samples for downstream applications including:

  • single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq)

  • single-nucleus ATAC sequencing (snATAC-seq)

  • multiomic and spatial assays (sample preparation)

• Organoid characterization using:

  • immunohistochemistry

  • basic microscopy and imaging

• Maintenance of accurate laboratory records and adherence to established protocols and SOPs

• General laboratory responsibilities including reagent preparation inventory management and equipment maintenance

• Collaboration with senior lab members and computational scientists to support ongoing projects

• B.S. or B.A. in a STEM-related field
• Prior experience in a laboratory setting (academic or industry)
• Basic knowledge of molecular biology and cell culture techniques
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to follow protocols carefully and maintain detailed records
• Willingness to learn stem cell and organoid methodologies
• Interest in neuroscience development or disease modeling

Preferred experience Required:

• Experience with tissue culture and/or molecular biology techniques
• Familiarity with sterile technique and basic lab practices
• Experience with microscopy and basic imaging preferred
• Prior experience with stem cells or organoids is preferred but not required
• Exposure to sequencing workflows or genomics is a plus but not required