Job Summary
We seek a postdoctoral fellow of an early career clinician scientist investigator focusing on eye size disorders, glaucoma, and age related macular degeneration. We expect the postdoc to be able to independently perform research tasks and work closely with the PI on designing experiments, analyzing data, and learning new techniques. Career development for the employee is a strong focus of the PI, and candidates will have the opportunity to progress to a Research Investigator position and be supported towards development for independent faculty positions. The postdoctoral fellow is expected to work along side graduate students and laboratory personnel, and can take an active role in mentoring and collaborating with students and laboratory staff.
One of our research topics is on eye size disorders, which are a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Through studying the extremes of eye size, we have become interested in early transcription factors driving the development and maturation of the retinal pigment epithelium and are excited to apply these findings to the macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the US. The lab primarily focuses on experiments using mouse models and collaborates with laboratories that use primary and induced pluripotent stem cell cultures of the retinal pigment epithelium, and the fellow will get exposure projects using both of these models.
Mission Statement
Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.
Why Join Michigan Medicine?
Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world's most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.
Responsibilities*
- Primary and induced pluripotent stem cell culture, including microsurgical dissection of eye tissue
- Standard molecular biology techniques, including cloning, viral transduction, Western blotting, qPCR
- Standard cell biology methods, including confocal and image analysis
- Ability to independently establish new protocols in areas we haven't yet worked in and reach out to other researchers and scientists to help troubleshoot
- Mouse breeding and handling, tail biopsy, and genotyping; mouse in vivo imaging with OCT, functional testing with ERG
- Histology and immunohistochemistry, including tissue microdissection.
- Electron microscopy and image analysis
- Willingness to learn new methods, in particular next generation gene expression analysis, lipidomics, and possibly metabolomics
Responsibilities will be tailored to the lab specialist's interests, experimental abilities, and career development goals. Again, the PI is highly invested in the well-being and career aspirations of lab members.
Required Qualifications*
- PhD
- Ability to do standard molecular biology and cell biology methods independently at the start, including qPCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and microscopy
- Experience with mouse handling, working with transgenic lines
- Willingness to learn new methods by interacting with other labs
- Willingness to help train others
- Willingness to work in the lab of a young investigator, who is highly invested in a positive lab environment and promoting career development
- Ability to read literature to assist with protocol development and troubleshooting when protocols don't work
Desired Qualifications*
- Experience with mouse ocular functional assays, such as OCT, ERG
- Experience with ImageJ or other image analysis software
- Experience with stem-cell culture experience
- PhD in genetics, molecular biology, neuroscience, or related fields
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Background Screening
Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
