Postdoctoral Research Associate - Otolaryngology

Position Summary

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Sheets Laboratory to investigate excitotoxic injury and recovery in sensory nerves using the zebrafish model. This project will examine how sensory hair cell synapses repair following excitotoxic damage and explore how innervating neurons recover from excitotoxic injury. The research will also investigate the role of the innate immune system in these injury and recovery processes.

The Sheets Lab investigates how traumatic injury affects sensory hair cells and innervating nerves, with a focus on identifying the cellular mechanisms that drive repair following damage. Our research integrates multiple experimental approaches—including transcriptomics, histology, genome editing, functional calcium imaging, optogenetics, and behavioral analysis—to address fundamental questions in auditory neuroscience. Experience in molecular biology, functional imaging, and/or behavior studies is strongly preferred.

Our lab is part of the Fay & Carl Simons Center for the Biology of Hearing and Deafness, a collaborative research community at WashU in St.Louis. WashU offers a vibrant and well‑supported research environment with excellent opportunities for professional development and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Primary

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor, including assistance with grant preparation and reporting.
• Prepares and submits papers on research.
• Assists in the design of research experiments.
• Evaluates research findings and assists in the reporting of the results.
• Conscientious discharge of research responsibilities.
• Maintains conformity with ethical standards in research.
• Maintains compliance with good laboratory practice and maintains adequate research records.
• Engages in open and timely discussion with their mentor regarding possession or distribution of material, reagents, or records, and any proposed disclosure of findings or techniques privately or in publications.
• Demonstrates collegial conduct toward co‑trainees, staff members and members of the research group.
• Adheres to all applicable university policies, procedures and regulations.
• All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated in university laboratories remain the property of the university.

This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and provide standard care to research animals.

Base pay is commensurate with experience.

When applying, interested applicants should include a CV, a brief description of research interests and experience, and contact information for three references.

• Education:
  
  Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent terminal or doctoral degree.
• Certifications/Professional Licenses:
  None required.
• Work Experience:
  
  None required.

• Collaboration, data analysis, data interpretation, experimentation, laboratory operations, laboratory techniques, researching, results reporting, scientific writing.

Washington University in St.Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full‑time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. View a summary of benefits tl.edu/benefits.

Washington University in St.Louis is committed to equal employment opportunity. The university provides equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.