What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Scientist: Paternal Epigenetic Inheritance Models position at Van Andel Institute?
Van Andel Institute (VAI), a world-class biomedical research institute, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is dedicated to improving human health. We are pioneers in the fight against cancer, Parkinson's, and other diseases. We are committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists and educators.
The
Van Andel Institute
(VAI) Laboratory of Dr. Adelheid Lempradl
and the Laboratory of Andrew Pospisilik, Ph.D.
is hiring a Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Scientist (depending on qualifications) for a combined research project focusing on dissection of two unique and powerful models of paternal epigenetic inheritance. The labs focus on understanding the epigenetic processes that drive interindividual variability, epigenetic inheritance, developmental programming and thereby disease heterogeneity. We intersect functional fly and mouse genetics, epigenomics, machine learning, human cohort analysis and physiology to define novel disease processes. You will be responsible for establishing and profiling male germline epigenomes and linking those to programming of early embryos of the next generation. Our other projects focus on defining human disease sub-types and disease regulatory modules via machine learning approaches, understanding the molecular architecture that buffers against interindividual susceptibility to disease, and identifying mechanistic insights into how developmental / intergenerational programming underpins human disease.
Why choose the Lempradl and Pospisilik Labs:
The Lempradl and Pospisilik Labs form a long-standing partnership at the forefront of epigenetics, developmental programming, and disease heterogeneity. Working jointly for more than 14 years, we combine complementary strengths in functional mouse and Drosophila genetics, human big-data analysis, chromatin biology, and systems-level modeling of metabolic and developmental processes.
Together, our teams have delivered many firsts in the field:
- discovery of chromatin-encoded intergenerational metabolic programming (Cell 2014),
- the first demonstration that Trim28-dependent developmental heterogeneity drives alternate obesity and cancer susceptibilities (Cell 2016; Nat Cancer 2025),
- identification of human probabilistic disease subtypes using machine learning on twin and cohort data (Nat Metab 2022), and
- deconstruction of β-cell epigenetic subtypes relevant to diabetes (Cell Metab 2023).
- temporally resolved concomitant single-embryo metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis of early embryo development (Nat Metab 2025)
Our laboratories have been recognized internationally with honors including the NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award (2021), two European Research Council Grants (Starting 2011; Consolidator 2016), the GSK-Stiftung Prize for Basic Medical Research (2015), the EASD Rising Star Award (2013), and the HeIDI Helmholtz Investigator Award (2016). Dr. Pospisilik also serves on the Editorial Board of Science Advances and is a standing NIH POMD study-section member.
Both groups are funded through multi-year NIH, NSF and startup awards (R01 HG012444, R01 DK132216, NSF 2346622 and internal), ensuring strong project support and access to advanced genomic, animal, and computational resources. Postdoctoral researchers benefit from the combined infrastructure of two fully integrated teams and the collaborative environment of VAI’s Departments of Epigenetics and Metabolism.
About the Principal Investigators:
Adelheid Lempradl, Ph.D. and Andrew Pospisilik, Ph.D. are long-term collaborators whose complementary expertise spans epigenomic technology, developmental biology, and integrative physiology. Their joint mentoring philosophy emphasizes independence, creativity, and cross-disciplinary training. Each postdoc has the opportunity to develop projects that bridge Drosophila and mouse models with human genomic data, gaining exposure from molecular bench work to big-data analysis.
Mentoring excellence is reflected in high success rate of Postdocs achieving independent PI positions in academia, sustained trainee success and roles as organizers of multiple international epigenetics, development and metabolism symposia as well as leadership of VAI’s Epigenomics R25 training program. With nearly 15 years of productive collaboration, the Lempradl–Pospisilik partnership offers an unusually stable and synergistic environment for early-career scientists eager to explore how epigenetic systems shape development and disease.
Required qualifications:
- PhD in molecular / cellular / physiological sciences
- Team player
- Highly organized
- Demonstrates proactive communication and coordination skills to manage the complexities of working across two research groups.
- Self-motivated and driven
- Experience leading a project from start to publication
Desired qualifications:
- Experience in Embryology, germline and developmental biology
- Research experience in chromatin biology and epigenomics
- Data science/command line/bioinformatics
- Mouse physiology
- CRISPRa / CRIPSRi
- Strengths in biochemistry, genomics and molecular biology
Qualities, traits and characteristics of an ideal candidate for the Lempradl and Pospisilik Labs:
- Innate abilities include self-motivation, creativity, hard work, a can-do attitude, empathy, and a humble and communicative team player.
- Collaborative team player who proactively shares knowledge and expertise with lab members.
- Ability to independently design and carry out complex research projects.
- Excitement to pursue interesting new research directions and willingness to take scientific risks.
- Excellent verbal and written scientific communication skills.
Why join Van Andel Institute as a Postdoctoral Fellow?
Postdoctoral Fellows are full-time employees and receive a competitive annual salary beginning at $71,000.
Postdoctoral fellows are a crucial part of Van Andel Institute’s efforts to improve the health and enhance the lives of current and future generations.
Along with the competitive salary, our Postdoctoral Fellows are eligible for
VAI benefits
:- Medical, dental and vision coverage
- Employer-sponsored life and AD&D insurance
- Additional voluntary life and AD&D insurance for employees and dependents
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Flexible-spending accounts for health and child/elder care
- 401 K retirement savings plans with employee/employer contributions
- Paid vacation, holidays, personal days
- Relocation Assistance
VAI recognizes that selecting where to complete a postdoctoral fellowship is a significant decision for postdoctoral fellows. VAI has a dedicated Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, which provides a
comprehensive professional development program.
How to Apply
If you possess these attributes and enjoy working with motivated and committed people, we encourage you to apply today.
We ask you to submit your online application with a single combined PDF, including the following:
- A cover letter describing your research interests, experience, and how you might contribute to the Lempradl and Pospisilik Labs.
- An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae.
- A list of 2-3 individuals who have agreed to act as professional references, along with their contact details.
Please contact Megan Doerr (Megan.Doerr@vai.org) for further information or questions, or if you have any difficulty with the application process.
About Van Andel Institute
Established in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1996 by the Van Andel family, VAI is now home to nearly 500 scientists, educators and support staff, who work with national and international collaborators to foster discovery. The Institute’s scientists study the origins of cancer, Parkinson’s and other diseases and translate their findings into breakthrough prevention and treatment strategies. Our educators develop inquiry-based approaches for K–12 education to help students and teachers prepare the next generation of problem-solvers, while our Graduate School offers a rigorous, research-intensive Ph.D. program in molecular and cellular biology.
VAI is committed to excellence through broad participation and diverse perspectives. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences who share our passion for innovation and collaboration.
Van Andel Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer.
As Van Andel Institute is a drug free employer, all prospective new employees undergo a urinalysis/drug test as part of our pre-employment process. This is a 7-panel drug screen and it includes testing for Marijuana, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Opiates, PCP, Barbiturates, and Benzodiazepines.
About Grand Rapids, MI
Van Andel Institute is in downtown
Grand Rapids, Michigan
in the center of the Medical Mile
. A remarkable combination of a cosmopolitan atmosphere and small-town warmth, Grand Rapids
is known for its philanthropic and sustainability-driven community. It’s fun affordable and family-friendly.
Located on the banks of the Grand River,
Grand Rapids
offers all the big-city excitement you'd expect from a million-resident metropolis, featuring hundreds of restaurants and nightspots, theaters, museums, sports and concerts. The safe and clean downtown is surrounded by an eclectic mix of walkable neighborhoods and natural areas. The downtown area is safe and clean with an eclectic mix of walkable neighborhoods and natural areas.Salary : $71,000
