Post Doctoral Fellow - Pharmacological & Pharmaceutic Department - (496819 )

University of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 49,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Houston (Egly Laboratory) invites applications for a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join a growing research program in ion channel biology and molecular pharmacology. The position focuses on how drugs and genetic variants alter channel function using patch-clamp, high-throughput screening, and iPSC-based models.

Ideal candidates will have a Ph.D. or MD in a related field, strong molecular biology skills, and excellent collaboration abilities.

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree in pharmacology, cell biology, biophysics, or related field.
• Strong foundational skills in molecular and cellular biology.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• A strong work ethic and enthusiasm for scientific research.

Responsibilities

• Receives, reviews progress and evaluates results of experiments or projects under control or supervisory responsibility.
• Recommends changes in research, testing or experimental procedures.
• May be responsible for a single highly technical and complex piece of research equipment.
• May review and evaluate the effectiveness of personnel.
• May plan for and assign personnel to projects under control.
• Operates with latitude for unreviewed action.

Skills

Molecular biology

Cell biology

Electrophysiology

Bioinformatics

Teamwork

Education

Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent in pharmacology, cell biology, biophysics, or related field

Tools

CRISPR-Cas9

Patch-clamp

Mass Spectrometry

Cell culture

Job description

Department: Pharmacological &Pharmaceutic

Salary: $49,400 - $56,200

Description

Possesses, understands, and applies a comprehensive knowledge in area of specialization. Develops understanding and skills to allow for completion of assignments that cross fields of specialization. Develops leadership and management skills.

• Receives/Reviews progress and evaluates results of experiments or projects under control or supervisory responsibility.
• Recommends changes in research, testing or experimental procedures.
• May be responsible for a single highly technical and complex piece of research equipment.
• May review and evaluate the effectiveness of personnel.
• May plan for and assign personnel to projects under control.
• Operates with latitude for unreviewed action.
• May receive general supervision conferring with higher levels only in unusual situations.
• Performs other job-related duties as required.

About the Position

The Egly Laboratory at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy is seeking to recruit a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join a growing research program.

Dr. Christian Egly is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the College of Pharmacy, University of Houston.

Current Research Areas

Our laboratory focuses on ion channel function and molecular pharmacology, investigating how drugs, disease-associated mutations, and polygenic risk variants alter channel gating, trafficking, and permeation. We combine patch-clamp electrophysiology, high-throughput drug and genetic screening, affinity purification-mass spectrometry proteomics, and CRISPR gene editing to dissect these mechanisms. A particular strength of the lab is the use of human iPSC-derived models to assess polygenic risk — testing how combinations of common variants collectively shape channel function and disease susceptibility. A central goal of the lab is to translate these mechanistic insights into new therapeutic strategies for ion channel disorders.

Areas of Interest

• Ion Channel Biology
• Molecular Pharmacology
• Cellular Electrophysiology
• iPSC Disease Modeling / Genetic Risk
• Drug Discovery
• Gene Therapy / CRISPR-based Approaches
• Related biomedical research fields

Qualifications

Applicants should possess:

• A Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree in pharmacology, cell biology, biophysics, or a related field
• Strong foundational skills in molecular and cellular biology
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• A strong work ethic and enthusiasm for scientific research

Experience (desirable)

Experience with one or more of the following is desirable, but not required

Molecular Biology

• Experience with molecular cloning, plasmid design, and site-directed mutagenesis

CRISPR / Gene Editing

• Experience with CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, including guide RNA design and generation of knock-in/knock-out cell lines

Cell Culture (HEK / hiPSC)

• Experience with mammalian cell culture, including HEK293 cells and/or maintenance and differentiation of human iPSCs

Electrophysiology

• Experience with patch-clamp electrophysiology (manual or automated platforms) or other electrophysiological techniques

High-Throughput Screening

• Experience with high-throughput screening platforms (e.g., thallium flux assays, automated patch-clamp systems, fluorescence-based assays)

Proteomics / Mass Spectrometry

• Experience with affinity purification-mass spectrometry (AP-MS) or other proteomic approaches

Bioinformatics / Data Analysis

• Experience with bioinformatics tools and computational analysis of genomic, proteomic, or electrophysiological data

Biochemistry

• Experience with standard biochemical techniques (e.g., Western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation, protein purification)

Successful candidates should be highly self-motivated, intellectually curious, and committed to pursuing innovative and impactful research.

MQ: Requires singular knowledge of a specialized advanced professional discipline or the highest level of general business knowledge, normally acquired through attainment of a directly job-related terminal degree or equivalent formal training in a recognized field of specialization that is directly related to the type of work being performed. No experience is required.

All positions at the University of Houston-Systems are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.