Post Doctoral Fellow - Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences; OVAS

Post Doctoral Fellow - Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences (OVAS) Responsibilities

The purpose of the Postdoctoral Scholar/Fellow positions is to provide individuals, who have recently (within the past 6 years) completed a doctoral degree, with a full-time program of advanced academic preparation and research training under the guidance of a supervising Faculty Mentor. Postdoctoral appointments are temporary by nature and are designed to develop the Postdoctoral Scholar/Fellow as an independent scientist and to enhance their professional skills.

Postdoctoral Scholars/Fellows provide leadership in the design and management of research programs. They additionally assist their Faculty Mentor(s) in designing protocols as well as training and/or supervising technical research staff to complete research projects. With the assistance of the Faculty Mentor, postdoctoral scholars/fellows write research grants with the goal of obtaining additional research grants. They conduct independent research that is expected to result in scholarly publications and presentations for research funding at scientific meetings.

Postdoctoral scientist position within the Landowski Laboratory in the Department of Ophthalmology, Visual, and Anatomical Sciences (OVAS) that will be supported by a newly‑funded NIH grant. The Landowski laboratory studies the role of lipid metabolism in retinal health and disease using mouse models. The fellow will characterize the retinal phenotypes of mice using ERG, SD‑OCT imaging, routine histology, RPE/retinal flat‑mount preparation and analysis, retinal vibratome preparation and immunofluorescence staining, EM imaging and analysis, and tissue collection.

Tissues will be used for biochemical studies including Western blots, RNA‑Sequencing, lipid analysis, qRT‑PCR, and biochemical assays. Additional projects may include RPE cell cultures and human donor tissues. It is expected for the postdoctoral scientist to maintain meticulous records of data and protocols. There will be opportunities to lead or contribute to the preparation of manuscripts, presentations, and grant materials with Dr.

Landowski and his team. The ideal candidate will be collaborative and work well within a team environment, while also working independently. They may also serve as a mentor for undergraduate, graduate, and other members of the OVAS department. They will also contribute to team and lab meetings along with collaborators and partner organizations of the lab. Some evening or weekend hours may be required due to animal work.

Applicants interested in a two‑year commitment will be prioritized. Extension of contract will be granted based on satisfactory performance.

• Perform scientific techniques or research protocols.
• Assist the Principal Investigator in designing and performing protocols.
• Design and perform experiments.
• Collect and log research data.
• Participate in implementing research objectives, ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory and protocol guidelines.
• Assist other lab members with experiments as required.
• May mentor research assistants and students.

With the assistance of the mentor, find and write research grants with the goal of obtaining additional research grant funding. Responsibilities may also include coordinating correspondence with applicants and grantees, acknowledging receipts of proposals, and maintaining a system to track proposals.

Evaluate and perform preliminary analysis of the data using graphs, charts or tables to highlight the key points of the research results collected in accordance with the research protocols as stipulated.

Prepare and present presentations regarding research project results for professional, scientific and academic conferences. Summarize and organize data results for submittal to academic and scholarly, peer‑reviewed journals. Write scientific manuscripts and other documents for publication. Fact‑check, proofread, and edit research documents to ensure accuracy.

Maintain the laboratory work areas including routine maintenance on laboratory equipment as required. Order and organize required research supplies and…