Post Doc Res Assoc

University of Utah • Salt Lake City, UT

55d • $60,000 - $700,000

About The Position

Mitochondrial ion channels in health and disease: A postdoctoral position is available in the Chaudhuri lab within the Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (http://www.cvrti.utah.edu), at the University of Utah. Projects for interested candidates will focus on one of the following areas: (1) mitochondrial function in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, (2) development of therapeutics targeting mitochondrial function. About our laboratory: Our laboratory is recently established and focuses on mitochondrial physiology. We study the control of metabolism by ion channels and transporters, and are interested in congenital and acquired cardiovascular diseases. Currently, we are studying mitochondrial calcium signaling and how it is altered in heart, liver, and kidney failure. Our research employs techniques in molecular and cellular biology, electrophysiology, imaging, genetic and whole-animal cardiovascular assays. This position represents an opportunity to work side-by-side with talented graduate students, postdocs, and specialists in a dynamic and stimulating research environment at the University of Utah. Interested candidates are encouraged to send an email describing research interests, a CV and the names of 3 references to [email protected]

Requirements

• PhD in the biological sciences (e.g. Biochemistry, Bioengineering/Biophysics, Physiology, Neuroscience) and/or an MD (with significant research experience).
• Have significant experience, including peer-reviewed publications, in one or more of the following areas: protein biochemistry/molecular biology, structural biology, mitochondrial biology, mouse models of cardiovascular disease, primary cell culture, fluorescence imaging, ion channel electrophysiology, therapeutics/drug development.
• Highly-motivated individuals with excellent written and oral communication skills who are able to work as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Independently plan, design, and conduct complex experiments using mouse and cellular models to investigate molecular mechanisms of metabolic and mitochondrial dysfunction, with a focus on heart, liver, and/or kidney.
• Perform a variety of molecular, cellular, and biochemical techniques, with expertise in one or more of the following areas: Live-cell imaging, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and/or histology analyses.
• Molecular biology methods (e.g., RNA interference, Western blotting, PCR, qPCR, ELISA).
• Cell culture, including IPSCs or organoids, and functional assays.
• Surgical and/or genetic mouse models of mitochondrial, cardiac, or metabolic disease
• Mitochondrial function assays or metabolomics, depending on the specific project needs.
• Protein biochemistry (protein purification, spectrophotometric assays, drug binding assays)
• Ion channel biology/electrophysiology
• Novel computational approaches (imaging analysis, protein design, etc.)
• If projects involve mouse models, then help supervise maintenance of these colonies with technicians, perform animal handling procedures (e.g., surgical procedures, drug administration), and ensure all activities comply with regulatory and ethical guidelines.
• Collect, analyze, interpret, and document research data using statistical and bioinformatics tools.
• Prepare and write detailed scientific reports and manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals, often as a first or co-author.
• Present research findings regularly at lab meetings, internal seminars, and national or international scientific conferences.
• Assist the principal investigator (PI) in preparing grant proposals and reports for intramural and extramural funding agencies.
• Work closely and collaborate with the PI, other lab members, and external researchers across disciplines (e.g., clinicians, immunologists). There are opportunities to mentor and guide the work of junior lab members, including undergraduate and graduate students.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees