Assistant Professor - Peripheral Nerve PhD Scientist; Tenure or Research track

Overview

The University of Utah is an AA/EO employer that encourages applications from all qualified individuals and provides reasonable accommodation to the known disabilities of applicants and employees. The university values candidates who have experience working with students, staff, faculty and patients from diverse backgrounds and with a strong commitment to improving access to higher education, employment opportunities, and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented groups.

Position/Rank
:
Assistant Professor - Peripheral Nerve PhD Scientist (Tenure or Research track)

Department
:
Neurosurgery

Location
:
Salt Lake City, UT

Track
:
Track dependent on qualifications

New Position to Begin
:
Details

The Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Utah is seeking to hire a PhD Research Scientist for a tenure-track or research-track appointment in peripheral nerve research. The Research Scientist will lead laboratory staff including Lab Technician(s) and Post-Doctoral Research Associate(s) in collaboration with Dr. Mark

A. Mahan. Roles include developing protocols for future experiments, manuscript preparation, grant writing, oversight of experiments, and lab personnel management. The goal is to run an independent lab in close collaboration with a clinician-scientist. The lab currently has NIH, SBIR and University funding.

Our research focuses on non-healing nerve injuries. Neuroma-in-continuity (NIC) is a pathophysiologic outcome frequently associated with these injuries, where fibrosis and inflammation create a microenvironment which inhibits axonal regeneration, resulting in poor neurologic recovery. To bridge bench to clinic, we have developed a basic science model of failed peripheral nerve regeneration that mimics the clinical injury mechanism (rapid-stretch) and produces the unique pathophysiology observed in the clinical population.

We aim to leverage this translational model to characterize the cellular and molecular microenvironment of pathophysiologic nerve regeneration and identify novel therapeutic targets for clinical intervention to improve patient outcomes.

We seek an exceptional individual who wants to work in an independent research environment and contribute to high-impact projects with clinical translation. Much of our research emphasizes clinical applicability, and future grants may involve clinical trials and potential intellectual property.

Contact:
William T. Couldwell, MD, PhD, C/O:
Admin. Director, Dept. of Neurosurgery, 175 North Medical Drive East, 5th Floor, Salt Lake City, UT 84132

Required:

Doctorate degree in biology, neuroscience, immunology, bioengineering, or related field plus four years of experience or equivalent; demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.

Experience requested:
Flow cytometry;
Immunohistology;
Animal breeding, especially maintenance of transgenic animals;
Neurophysiology;
Behavioral testing.

Preference:
Strong preference for PhD in immunology or peripheral nerve disorders. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Work Environment:
Nearly continuously in office and laboratory settings.

Physical Requirements:

Nearly continuously sitting, hearing, listening, and talking;
Often repetitive hand motion (typing), walking;
Seldom bending or reaching overhead.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Reasonable accommodations in the application process are available upon request. The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race,…