Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

University of California; Maine; On-site; USD 56,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental plans

Tuition benefits for employees

Significant leave time and holidays

Job summary

University of New England is seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to study neural mechanisms of corneal pain and dry eye disease. The lab uses rodent models, electrophysiology, optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches, and molecular methods to examine sensory neurons and neural circuits involved in corneal pain.

The successful candidate will lead projects, design and conduct experiments, analyze data, prepare manuscripts and presentations, and mentor junior researchers while developing

Qualifications

• PhD and/or DDS in neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology, biomedical sciences, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience conducting hypothesis-driven biomedical research.
• Experience in sensory neuroscience or pain research; rodent models and procedures; optogenetics or chemogenetics; molecular or cellular neuroscience; microscopy and quantitative image analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, prepare manuscripts and presentations.
• Mentor graduate students, undergraduate students, technicians, or junior lab members.
• Publish findings and present at lab meetings, seminars, and conferences.
• Develop and optimize experimental protocols and ensure rigorous data management.

Skills

Biomedical research

Neuroscience

Rodent models

Electrophysiology

Optogenetics/Chemogenetics

Scientific writing

Education

PhD or equivalent

Tools

Microscopy

Job description

We are seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to support studies investigating the neural mechanisms underlying corneal pain and dry eye disease. The laboratory uses rodent models, electrophysiological techniques, optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches, and molecular methods to examine the sensory neurons and neural circuits that detect, transmit, and modulate corneal pain.

The successful candidate will lead research projects integrating electrophysiological techniques, optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches, rodent behavioral and surgical methods, and molecular and cellular analyses of neurons involved in corneal sensation and pain processing. The Postdoctoral Fellow will work closely with the Principal Investigator while developing increasing scientific independence. Responsibilities include designing and conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, preparing manuscripts and scientific presentations, and mentoring junior researchers.

Benefits Overview

• Multiple health and dental plan options, plus vision coverage.
• Up to 8% retirement plan match.
• Generous leave time, including vacation, sick, and personal time, and 12+ holidays per year.
• Educational benefits:
  • UNE tuition waiver for employees, spouses, and domestic partners.
  • UNE tuition waiver for dependents of employees with 1 year of full-time service.
    • 50% tuition reduction if less than 1 year of full-time service.

• Design, conduct, analyze and interpret studies examining the neural mechanisms of corneal pain and dry eye.
• Develop and use rodent models of dry eye, ocular surface injury, inflammation, and corneal pain.
• Perform electrophysiological studies of sensory neurons and pain-processing pathways.
• Use optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches to identify and manipulate neuronal populations involved in corneal sensation and nociception.
• Perform rodent procedures that may include anesthesia, surgery, ocular treatments, peripheral or central injections, viral-vector delivery, tissue collection, and behavioral testing.
• Conduct molecular and cellular characterization of sensory neurons and neural circuits using methods such as immunohistochemistry, fluorescence or confocal microscopy, image analysis, RNA-based assays, and protein analysis.
• Apply quantitative approaches to experimental design, data analysis, statistical testing, and data visualization.
• Establish, optimize, validate, and troubleshoot experimental protocols.
• Maintain complete and accurate experimental records, animal records, protocols, and research data.
• Prepare figures, manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and oral presentations.
• Present research findings at laboratory meetings, departmental seminars, and scientific conferences.
• Collaborate with other laboratory members and investigators.
• Mentor graduate students, undergraduate students, technicians, or other junior laboratory members as appropriate.
• Participate in laboratory organization, maintenance of shared research resources, and development of a rigorous and collaborative research environment.
• Conduct all research in accordance with institutional requirements for animal welfare, biosafety, research integrity, and data management.

Qualifications

PhD and/or DDS , or equivalent doctoral degree in neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology, biomedical sciences, or a closely related field.

• Demonstrated experience conducting hypothesis-driven biomedical research.
• Record of scholarly productivity appropriate to career stage, such as peer-reviewed publications, preprints, conference presentations, or a completed doctoral dissertation.
• Experience with at least one area relevant to the laboratory’s research, such as:
  • Sensory neuroscience or pain research;
  • Rodent models and procedures;
  • Optogenetics or chemogenetics;
  • Molecular or cellular neuroscience; or
  • Microscopy and quantitative image analysis.
• Ability and willingness to work with rodents and rodent tissues.
• Ability to design experiments, analyze results critically, and troubleshoot complex research procedures.
• Strong scientific writing, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Commitment to research rigor, reproducibility, ethical conduct, and animal welfare.
• Willingness to complete all required institutional training.

EEO Statement Summary

Consistent with federal and state law and University policy, the University of New England is committed to the fundamental concept of equal opportunity for all of the members of the University community. The University prohibits, and will not tolerate, discrimination in employment, the provision of academic services or in any other area of University life based on race, color, sex, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, ethnicity, genetic information, HIV status, or status as a veteran. Prohibited bias factors should not motivate decisions regarding students, employees, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, contractors, volunteers or participants in and/or users of institutional programs, services, and activities.

Employees in clinical settings must meet the State of Maine’s immunization requirements for clinical activity.

Additional Note

This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.