Join Our Lab
Available Positions in the Arur Laboratory
Postdoctoral Fellows
We are seeking highly motivated postdoctoral fellows interested in tackling fundamental biological questions with direct relevance to human disease.Postdoctoral researchers in the lab lead independent, high-impact projects at the interface of RNA biology, signaling, and cell fate regulation.
Current opportunities span:
- Intergenerational effects of environmental stress on germline function and female and male reproductive development
- Mechanisms of nuclear and post-translationally modified DICER in chromatin and transcriptional control
- RNA-based regulation of cell identity and plasticity
- Epigenetic and signaling mechanisms driving lineage switching in cancer
Postdocs are supported in developing a strong, independent research vision and are mentored toward successful academic or industry careers. The lab provides:
- Access to cutting-edge technologies (single-cell genomics, proteomics, in vivo models)
- A collaborative and intellectually rigorous environment
- Structured mentorship, including grant writing and career development
- Opportunities to lead interdisciplinary collaborations and publish high-impact work
Graduate Students
We welcome graduate students who are excited by fundamental questions in biology and motivated to uncover mechanisms that bridge basic science and disease. Graduate trainees in the Arur Lab receive rigorous training in:
- Genetic and molecular approaches in C. elegans and mammalian systems
- Quantitative and multi-omic experimental design
- Mechanism-driven hypothesis development
- Scientific communication and independent thinking
Students are encouraged to pursue bold, high-risk questions while developing a strong conceptual and technical foundation. The training environment emphasizes:
- Close mentorship with increasing intellectual independence
- A collaborative lab culture that values curiosity, creativity, and rigor
- Opportunities to integrate across disciplines and model systems
- Preparation for diverse career paths in academia, industry, and beyond
Our Mentorship Philosophy
Dr. Arur is deeply committed to mentorship, providing trainees with rigorous scientific training, intellectual independence, and the confidence to pursue ambitious, mechanism-driven questions. The lab fosters an inclusive, supportive environment where trainees are challenged to think deeply, communicate clearly, and lead in their fields.
Environment
UT MD Anderson offers well-regarded professional development opportunities and benefits. The Texas Medical Center houses UT MD Anderson and multiple other top-flight scientific institutions within walking distance (Baylor College of Medicine; UT Health Science Center; Rice University; Methodist Research Institute; Texas A&M Institute of Biosciences and Technology). This immense depth of collaborators/programs/cores insures a cutting-edge research/ideas environment. Houston boasts a diverse culture near the Gulf Coast, and affordable living in our nation’s fourth largest city.
Highly motivated candidates holding a Ph.D. or an M.D./Ph.D. in developmental, cellular or molecular biology are encouraged to apply. Please provide three letters of recommendation, CV and a research summary to Swathi Arur, Ph.D.
It is the policy of UT MD Anderson to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.
