Post Doctoral Associate

Overview

The Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science (RITMS) was founded in January 2016 and is directed by the Vice-Chancellor for clinical and translational science, Dr. Reynold Panettieri. RITMS plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between basic and clinical research, which focuses on developing safer and more effective therapeutics. Through cutting‑edge research facilities, comprehensive educational programs, and pioneering research initiatives, RITMS is committed to advancing scientific knowledge and applying it to real‑world medical challenges.

The Institute excels in progressing proof‑of‑concept studies from cellular and animal models to human trials, ensuring that groundbreaking discoveries reach clinical applications. Recognized for its innovative clinical and research programs, RITMS leads the way in translating scientific advancements into new treatments, particularly for patients with rare diseases such as lymphangioleiomyomatosis, Castleman disease, and Birt‑Hogg‑Dubé syndrome. Moreover, RITMS places a strong emphasis on education and training, offering undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral scholars invaluable hands‑on experience in both research and clinical environments.

The institute promotes an interdisciplinary approach, fostering collaboration across multiple departments, including Medicine, Pediatrics, Radiology, Surgery, Pharmacology, and Emergency Medicine.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a highly motivated Post Doctoral Associate to join the Panettieri Laboratory research team at the Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science (RITMS). The Panettieri Laboratory investigates signal transduction mechanisms regulating airway tone, with a focus on asthma, COPD, and fibrotic lung diseases. The Post Doctoral Associate will lead projects exploring how environmental exposures and respiratory pathogens alter airway function, contribute to high‑impact publications, and support grant development efforts.

This is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated scientist to develop expertise in pulmonary translational research within a collaborative academic environment. This position is contingent upon funding.

• Design and execute research projects independently and collaboratively.
• Collect, analyze, and manage experimental data; maintain research databases.
• Prepare manuscripts, grant applications, and conference presentations.
• Learn and perform lab‑specific techniques; supervise and mentor junior team members.
• Seek extramural funding during the training period.
• Planning and executing research projects as assigned.
• Preparation of high‑quality manuscripts for publication in peer‑reviewed journals, as well as data for research conference presentations and grant applications.
• Provide supervision and guidance to junior staff, undergraduates, and graduate students.
• Securing extramural funding during the postdoctoral training.
• Cell Culture work: media preparation, quality control testing, and daily maintenance of human airway muscle cell lines, epithelial cell lines, fibroblast cell lines, & air liquid interface co‑cultures.
• Protein work:
  Protein isolation, immuno‑precipitations, & western blotting.

• Ph.D. degree in one of the following fields: biology, cell biology, pharmacology, molecular biology, or other related fields and at least 0 to 2 years of laboratory research experience.
• Research experience in dissecting/understanding cellular signal transduction utilizing primary human cell lines is required for this position.
• Expertise in performing basic scientific assays including: RNA / DNA extraction, and protein preparation, PCR & real time- PCR , western blot analysis, ELISA are essential.
• A strong background in cell and molecular biology, and tissue culture are a prerequisite for this position.

• Candidates with pulmonary research experience are preferred.
• Experience in understanding big data analysis (RNAseq, mass spec/phosphoproteomic analysis, etc), pathway analysis, and cAMP compartmentation are a plus, but not required.
• Tissue culture hoods and incubators, centrifuges,…