POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR - INST FOR VISION RESEARCH

Title: Postdoctoral Scholar - Institute for Vision Research

Classification Code: FP01

Basic Function and Responsibility

To serve as a member of a multidisciplinary laboratory focused on disease modeling and therapeutics development for patients with inherited retinal disease. The incumbant's primary responsibilities will be in 1) designing, performing, and validating functional and release testing assays for clinical gene and cell based therapeutics, 2) collecting, incubating, and analyzing viable and non-viable microbial samples collected in a cellular and molecular research laboratory, and 3) implementing experiments pertaining to ocular inflammation and autoimmune retinal disease.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Help to design and plan assays for various projects with the Principal Investigator, including in-depth literature research to evaluate the current standard for specific experimental protocols. This also includes coordinating responsibilities for ongoing research among technicians and students, and interpreting and evaluating results as they are obtained.
• Perform and validate (as needed) assays for functional and release testing of research and clinical products. This includes assays such as viral titer, silver stain, host cell DNA/RNA/protein, endotoxin, mycoplasma, sterility, etc. Also responsible for assisting in the preparation of release testing reports.
• Collect, incubate, and analyze viable microbial samples to determine species identity, and measure and record non-viable particle counts. This includes routine sample collection and analysis, verification that viable and non-viable counts fall within set standards, and drafting reports for review and approval.
• Assist the Principal Investigator in compilation and evaluation of data for preparation of manuscripts for publication in scientific journals, grant applications, and posters/talks for local and international scientific conferences. Also expected to prepare posters/talks and represent the lab at local and international scientific conferences.
• Contribute to new or continuing research grant proposals to obtain funding for research activities. Includes contributing to progress reports required by funding agencies.
• Supervise adherence to safety and compliance guidelines when necessary.
• Pay close attention to detail.

Position Expectations

1. Demonstrates respect for all members of the University community in the course of performing one's duties and in response to administrators, supervisors, and coworkers.
2. Represents the interests of the University and of unit leadership in the use of resources to meet service and productivity demands within unit goals and budgets; strives to promote continual process and quality improvement.
3. Seeks opportunities to enhance one's own professional knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to one's current position and/or to prepare for potential future roles and overall career development.

Supervision Received

Minimal supervision provided. Expected to work independently and collaboratively. Training in advanced techniques will be provided by the Principal Investigator or appropriate subject matter expert on an ongoing and as needed basis.

Supervision Exercised

Functional supervision may be exercised over research assistants, laboratory assistants, and other assigned research personnel.

• Requires the practical knowledge of basic cellular and molecular biology plus the ability to translate, adapt, and apply this knowledge that is generally associated with a PhD and progressively responsible work experience. This position requires a Ph.D. in Biology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, or another related biological science field.

• Demonstrated experience in mammalian and microbial cell culture, and aseptic technique.
• Experience with standard molecular biology and biochemical techniques (e.g., cloning, nucleic acid and protein isolation from human and animal tissue samples, PCR/qPCR, ELISA, Western blot, etc.), common cell biology techniques (e.g., immunocytochemistry/immunohistochemistry), and tissue culture techniques (i.e., establishing and maintaining cell lines and human iPSCs).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

N/A

• Two or more years of experience in cellular and molecular biology research of human diseases is highly desirable.
• Experience with CRISPR-Cas genome editing technology.
• Strong publication record.
• Previous experience supervising students and technicians in a research laboratory.
• Familiarity with Macintosh computers, including the applications Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Adobe Photoshop, LaserGene, and EndNote software.

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