Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

We are seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to support studies investigating the neural mechanisms underlying corneal pain and dry eye disease. The laboratory uses rodent models, electrophysiological techniques, optogenetic and chemo genetic approaches, and molecular methods to examine the sensory neurons and neural circuits that detect, transmit, and modulate corneal pain.

The successful candidate will lead research projects integrating electrophysiological techniques, optogenetic and chemo genetic approaches, rodent behavioral and surgical methods, and molecular and cellular analyses of neurons involved in corneal sensation and pain processing. The Postdoctoral Fellow will work closely with the Principal Investigator while developing increasing scientific independence. Responsibilities include designing and conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, preparing manuscripts and scientific presentations, and mentoring junior researchers.

About the University of New England UNE is Maine's largest private university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible online offerings. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to positively impact a world full of challenges. We are the state's top provider of health professionals and home to Maine's only medical and dental colleges, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs, and nationally recognized programs in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts.

Benefits Overview Multiple health and dental plan options, plus vision coverage. Up to 8% retirement plan match. Generous leave time, including vacation, sick, and personal time, and 12+ holidays per year. Educational benefits: UNE tuition waiver for employees, spouses, and domestic partners. UNE tuition waiver for dependents of employees with 1 year of full-time service. 50% tuition reduction if less than 1 year of full-time service.

For more information about our outstanding benefits, please visit: UNE Benefits Overview

Responsibilities Design, conduct, analyze, and interpret studies examining the neural mechanisms of corneal pain and dry eye. Develop and use rodent models of dry eye, ocular surface injury, inflammation, and corneal pain. Perform electrophysiological studies of sensory neurons and pain-processing pathways. Use optogenetic and chemo genetic approaches to identify and manipulate neuronal populations involved in corneal sensation and nociception. Perform rodent procedures that may include anesthesia, surgery, ocular treatments, peripheral or central injections, viral-vector delivery, tissue collection, and behavioral testing.

Conduct molecular and cellular characterization of sensory neurons and neural circuits using methods such as immunohistochemistry, fluorescence or confocal microscopy, image analysis, RNA-based assays, and protein analysis. Apply quantitative approaches to experimental design, data analysis, statistical testing, and data visualization. Establish, optimize, validate, and troubleshoot experimental protocols. Maintain complete and accurate experimental records, animal records, protocols, and research data. Prepare figures, manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and oral presentations.

Present research findings at laboratory meetings, departmental seminars, and scientific conferences. Collaborate with other laboratory members and investigators. Mentor graduate students, undergraduate students, technicians, or other junior laboratory members as appropriate. Participate in laboratory organization, maintenance of shared research resources, and development of a rigorous and collaborative research environment. Conduct all research in accordance with institutional requirements for animal welfare, biosafety, research integrity, and data management.

Qualifications PhD and/or DDS, or equivalent doctoral degree in neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology, biomedical sciences, or a closely related field. Demonstrated experience conducting hypothesis-driven biomedical research. Record of scholarly productivity appropriate to career stage, such as peer-reviewed publications, preprints, conference presentations, or a completed doctoral dissertation. Experience with at least one area relevant to the laboratory's research, such as:
Sensory neuroscience or pain research;
Rodent models and procedures;
Optogenetics or chemo genetics;
Molecular or cellular neuroscience; or Microscopy and quantitative image analysis. Ability and willingness to work with rodents and rodent tissues. Ability to design experiments, analyze results critically, and troubleshoot complex research procedures. Strong scientific writing, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research…