The Cytokinetics Postdoctoral Fellows Program is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists poised to enter the biotech and academic research community to aid in the discovery of potential new medicines for cardiovascular and neuromuscular diseases. Cytokinetics postdoctoral fellows will have the opportunity to develop their own independent research project focused on one or more facets of muscle biology, including muscle contractility, mitochondrial function and muscle metabolism. Fellows will engage in the drug discovery process and gain foundational knowledge in target discovery, therapeutic mechanism of action and model development.
Training Scientists At The Forefront Of Innovation
About the Postdoc Program
Postdoctoral Fellows will:
- Design and execute an independent research project focused on cardiac or skeletal muscle biology
- Perform cutting-edge research under the direct mentorship of a Cytokinetics scientist and work in collaboration with other researchers throughout the company
- Have enrichment opportunities in communication, leadership, and laboratory management
- Gain foundational knowledge of the drug discovery and development process
- Cultivate a broad scientific network in biotech and academia
- Fully funded 2-year postdoctoral research fellowship
- Competitive salary
- Full benefits
- Funding for research conference travel (2 per year)
- PhD in biochemistry, bioengineering, cell/molecular biology, physiology, or related field
- Expertise in one or more of the following: primary and mammalian cell culture systems, in vivo models of heart failure and/or skeletal muscle diseases, NA-seq, proteomics, bioinformatics analysis
- Track record for research excellence, independent critical thinking, and the ability to design, execute, and interpret experiments as demonstrated by high quality publications, presentations, fellowship, and grants
- Enthusiasm for working in a team-based, multi-disciplinary environment, paired with excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Clear commitment to a rigorous 2-year research and enrichment program
- NIH Biosketch (formatting instructions can be found here)
- Cover letter (1-2 pages) that includes the following: (A) Summary of research accomplishments, (B) Proposed career path, (C) How a 2-year Cytokinetics postdoctoral fellowship will prepare you for your career path
- Three letters of recommendation
Effects of Omecamtiv Mecarbil in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction According to Blood Pressure: The GALACTIC-HF Trial
European Heart Journal
Metra M, et al
May 22, 2022
A Novel Molecule Troponin Activator Increases Cardiac Contractile Function Without Negative Impact on Energetics
Circulation: Heart Failure
He H, Baka T, Balschi J, et al
November 8, 2021
Discovery of Aficamten (CK-274), a Next-Generation Cardiac Myosin Inhibitor for the Treatment of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Chihyuan Chuang, et al
Oct 4, 2021
GALACTIC-HF: Cardiac Myosin Activation with Omecamtiv Mecarbil in Systolic Heart Failure
New England Journal of Medicine
Teerlink JR, Diaz R, Felker GM, McMurray JJ, Metra M, Solomon SD, Adams KF, Anand I, Arias‐Mendoza A, Biering‐Sørensen T, Böhm M, Bonderman D, et al.
November 13, 2020
Fast skeletal muscle troponin activator CK‐2066260 increases fatigue resistance by reducing the energetic cost of muscle contraction
Journal of Physiology
Cheng AJ, Hwee DT, Kim LH, Durham N, Yang HT, Hinken AC, Kennedy AR, Terjung RL, JR Jasper, Malik FI, Westerblad H
June 29, 2017
The Small Molecule Fast Skeletal Troponin Activator, CK-2127107, Improves Exercise Tolerance in a Rat Model of Heart Failure
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
Hwee DT, Kennedy AR, Hartman JJ, Ryans J, Durham N, Malik FI, Jasper JR
April 2015
Activation of Fast Skeletal Muscle Troponin as a Potential Therapeutic Approach for Treating Neuromuscular Diseases
Nature Medicine
Russell AJ, Hartman JJ, Hinken AC, Muci AR, Kawas R, Driscoll L, Godinez G, Lee KH, Marquez D, Browne IV WF, Chen MM
March 2012
Cardiac Myosin Activation: A Potential Therapeutic Approach for Systolic Heart Failure
Science
Malik FI, Hartman JJ, Elias KA, Morgan BP, Rodriguez H, Brejc K, Anderson RL, Sueoka SH, Lee KH, Finer JT, Sakowicz R
March 2011
Ready to apply to our Postdoctoral Fellows Program?
To apply for our Postdoctoral Fellows Program, please visit our Job Opportunities page.
The Postdoc Experience
“Our goal is to provide an impactful postdoctoral research experience that enables that start of an independent research career in academia or biopharma.”
– Michael Coronado, Sr. Group Leader, Discovery Biology
The Postdoc Experience
“Our Postdoctoral Fellows have the opportunity to work on projects at the forefront of muscle biology by conducting rigorous, impactful research and developing innovative solutions to forge independent careers.”
– Roshni Madhvani, Sr. Scientist I, Discovery Biology