Do you envision finding a meaningful role with an inclusive and compassionate team? At Children’s Mercy, we believe in making a difference in the lives of all children and shining a light of hope to the patients and families we serve. Our employees make the difference, which is why we have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top pediatric hospital, for eleven consecutive years.

Children’s Mercy is in the heart of Kansas City – a metro abounding in cultural experiences, vibrant communities and thriving businesses. This is where our patients and families live, work and play. This is a community that has embraced our hospital and we strive to say thanks by giving back. As a leader in children’s health, we engage in meaningful programs and partnerships throughout the region so that we can improve the lives of children beyond the walls of our hospital.

This is a two-year post-doctoral appointment (with the possibility of renewal) to provide advance research training to individuals with a doctoral degree in biological or computational sciences and to further the basic and translational research goals at the Children's Mercy Research Institute.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the forefront of scientific medical genomic discovery by using data generated by short-read genome sequencing (Illumina), HiFi long read epigenome and genome sequencing (5-base HiFi-GS, PacBio), RNA sequencing, single-cell sequencing, and applying them to translational research. The postdoctoral research fellow will have access to state-of-the-art data related to pediatric and maternal reproductive health within our Genomic Answers for Kids (GA4K) Program. GA4K is changing the landscape of prenatal and pediatric genomics through what may be the most advanced system for rare disease diagnosis in the world. Our team has surpassed 2500 rare diagnoses through groundbreaking work—far out-pacing other rare disease research programs—and continue to conduct cutting-edge science. As an early adopter of HiFi-GS for the routine follow-up of unsolved cases we have world’s largest repository of genetic disease relevant long-read genomes with almost 3000 individuals. Recently we were first to show utility of 5-base HiFi-GS in genetic disease, where methylation aberration led to previously undetected disease mutation and gave clues to non-coding rare disease variants - essentially building the bridge between full DNA structure with layer of function in a single test. 

At Children’s Mercy, we are committed to ensuring that everyone feels welcomed within our walls. A successful candidate for this position will join us as we strive to create a workplace that reflects the community we serve, as well as our core values of kindness, curiosity, inclusion, team and integrity.

Additionally, it’s important to us that we remain transparent with all potential job candidates. Because we value the safety of the patients and families we serve, as well as the Children’s Mercy staff, we want to let you know that the seasonal influenza vaccine is a condition of employment for all employees in our organization. New employees must be willing to be vaccinated if found non-immune to measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and chicken pox (varicella) and/or without evidence of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination since 2005. If you are selected for this position, you will be asked to supply your immunization records as proof of vaccination. If you and have any concerns about receiving these vaccines, medical and/or religious exemptions can be further discussed with Human Resources.

• Conduct original laboratory research in the areas of cell biology, molecular biology, genomics, and epigenomics. How work is completed: Develop hypotheses and design and carry out laboratory experiments using a variety of research techniques to test those hypotheses under the supervision of his or her research mentors.
• Analysis of large scale of genomic data. How work is completed: Be responsible for the analysis of GA4K sequencing data in integration with phenotypes and sequence information. He/she will also utilize and/or implement bioinformatics, computational and statistical methods to support the data analysis.
• Reporting of research results. How work is completed: Present research results at lab meetings and division meetings. Present at regional and national scientific conferences, publications of abstracts, and publication of research articles in peer-reviewed journals.
• Attend/participate in mandatory educational programs, meetings, scholarly conference.
• Complete mandatory education requirements by personal attendance or online training
• Regular participation at Lab meetings
• Attendance in scholarly conferences in CMH, UMKC, and KUMC

•  Ph.D.  or MD or related doctoral level degree in a relevant discipline and  1-2 years experience

The benefits plans at Children’s Mercy are one of many reasons we are recognized as one of the best places to work in Kansas City. Our plans are designed to meet the changing needs of our employees and their families.

Our pay ranges are market competitive. The pay range for this job begins at $28.39/hr, but your offer will be determined based on your education and experience.

This position is not eligible to work remotely, which means that the person hired will be required to work onsite at one of our Children’s Mercy locations and may not work from home.

Children’s Mercy hires individuals based on their job skills, expertise and ability to maintain professional relationships with fellow employees, patients, parents and visitors. A personal interview, formal education and training, previous work experience, references and a criminal background investigation all are factors used to select the best candidates. The hospital does not discriminate against prospective or current employees based on the race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, creed, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry or veteran status. A drug screen will be performed upon hire. Children’s Mercy is smoke and tobacco free.