Lead Peripheral Nerve Research Scientist (Tenure Track)

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Utah Department of Neurosurgery seeks a PhD Research Scientist for a tenure‑track or research‑track appointment focused on peripheral nerve research. The successful candidate will lead an independent laboratory in collaboration with a clinician‑scientist to translate basic science into clinical applications.

Responsibilities include developing and overseeing projects, training staff, reviewing literature, and contributing to teaching and grant activities, with ongoing clinical

Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in biology, neuroscience, immunology, bioengineering or related field plus at least four years of post‑doctoral experience.
• Demonstrated strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Experience with flow cytometry, immunohistology, animal breeding (transgenic), neurophysiology and behavioral testing.

Responsibilities

• Co‑develop scientific research projects and lead as a senior scientist.
• Review current literature and translate findings to clinical applications.
• Set up new methods or assays to achieve objectives.
• Identify creative solutions to experimental problems.
• Organize, interpret data and derive study conclusions.
• Manage and train research staff to achieve goals.
• Collaborate with internal and external investigators across projects.
• Summarize clinical studies in abstracts and manuscripts.
• Provide clinical and scientific information to support initiatives.
• Assist with grant proposals and coordinate with research administrators to meet deadlines.
• Attend national conferences and present findings.

Skills

Leadership & collaboration

Communication skills

Data interpretation

Project management

Education

PhD in biology/neuroscience/immunology

Post‑doctoral experience

Tools

Flow cytometry

Immunohistology

Animal breeding (transgenic)

Neurophysiology

Behavioral testing

Job description

Assistant Professor - Peripheral Nerve PhD Scientist (Tenure or Research track)

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

Position Information

Position/Rank

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

Department

City

City Salt Lake City, UT

Track

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.

In collaboration with Dr. Mark A. Mahan, the Research Scientist will lead a laboratory staff, including Lab Technician(s) and Post-Doctoral Research Associate(s). Roles would include development of protocols for future experiments, manuscript preparation, grant writing, oversight of the experiments, and lab personnel management. The goal of the position is to run an independent lab in close collaboration with a clinician-scientist. The lab currently has NIH , SBIR and University funding.

Our research centers 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 overcome this gap from bench to clinic, we have developed a basic science model of failed peripheral nerve regeneration which mimics the clinical injury mechanism (rapid-stretch) and produces the unique and severe pathophysiology and associated neurologic deficits observed in the clinical population. We aim to leverage this translational model to characterize the cellular and molecular microenvironment of pathophysiologic nerve regeneration, with the hope of identifying novel therapeutic targets for clinical intervention to ameliorate patient outcomes.

We are looking for an exceptional individual who wants to work in an independent research environment and be involved in high-impact research projects with clinical translation. Much of our research focuses on clinical applicability – and we envision that future grants will involve clinical trials and possible intellectual property.

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

The University of Utah Health (U of U Health) is a patient focused center distinguished by collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. The U of U Health values candidates who are committed to fostering and furthering the culture of compassion, collaboration, innovation, accountability, diversity, integrity, quality, and trust that is integral to our mission.

Qualifications

Doctorate degree in biology, neuroscience, immunology, or bioengineering or other scientific discipline in a related field plus four years of experience or equivalency required. Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills also required.

Applicants should have experience with the following laboratory research procedures:

1. Flow cytometry
2. Immunohistology
3. Animal breeding, especially maintenance of transgenic animals
4. Neurophysiology
5. Behavioral testing

Preference will be given to individuals with experience in:

Strong preference will be given to job applicants who hold a PhD in immunology or peripheral nerve disorders

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Responsibilities

1. Co-develops scientific research projects, and acts as a lead scientist.
2. Researches and stays current with project related scientific literature.
3. Sets up new methods or assays to accomplish scientific objectives.
4. Identifies and implements creative solutions to overcome problems.
5. Organizes, interprets data and derives study conclusions.
6. Manages and trains research staff to achieve research goals.
7. Collaborates with internal and external investigators on multiple research projects ensuring scientific significance and feasibility.
8. Summarizes results of clinical studies in the form of scientific abstracts and manuscripts.
9. Serves as a resource to provide clinical and scientific information needed for various initiatives.
10. Contributes to teaching activities by preparing and presenting educational seminars.
11. Assists with grant proposal preparation by researching background, significance and planning statistics, and working with research administrators to meet deadlines.
12. Attends national conferences and presents results of clinical studies.

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 and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: Office and laboratory environment.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.
Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking.
Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Information

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX ( OEO ). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number, can be located at https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/ .

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu .

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at [phone] for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at [phone] or [phone] or University Human Resource Management at [phone] if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.


This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

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Special Instructions for Candidates

Open Date

Open Date 08/28/2023

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Requisition Number

Requisition Number PRN03364F

Type

Type Faculty

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• One measure of faculty diversity at the School of Medicine is the proportion of faculty members who come from a rural background. Did you graduate high school from a town with less than 10,000 persons?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Documents

Curriculum Vitae

Research Statement

Optional Documents

Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Description for More Information – Appropriate discharge document (such as DD-2214) – Veteran Only

Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Document Description for More Information – Addendum to the University of Utah – Veteran Only

University Human Resource Management
250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
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