Research Fellow - Chekuri Lab

5110 Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join an NIH-funded program focused on inherited retinal degenerative diseases and genetic therapies. The lab uses mouse models, ocular genomics, and AAV strategies to study disease mechanisms and therapy evaluation.

The position involves leading mentored research, in vitro and in vivo experiments, data analysis, and manuscript preparation within a collaborative environment at the Schepens Eye Research Institute.

Qualifications

• Review and summarize relevant literature in retinal degeneration, ocular genomics, and gene therapy.
• Design, perform, and troubleshoot in vitro and in vivo experiments.
• Work with mouse models, retinal/RPE tissues, cell-based systems, and molecular biology assays.
• Analyze molecular, histological, imaging, functional, and genomic data.
• Maintain organized experimental records, protocols, and data files.
• Meet regularly with the mentor to review progress and project milestones.
• Present findings in lab meetings, seminars, conferences, and project discussions.
• Contribute to manuscripts, abstracts, posters, reports, and grant-related materials.
• Attend ARVO meetings, seminars, and training opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Lead mentored research projects focusing on inherited retinal diseases.
• Develop and evaluate genetic therapies in mouse models and ocular tissues.
• Collaborate with related labs for data sharing and manuscript preparation.

Skills

Literature review

Experiment design

Data analysis

Manuscript writing

Collaboration

Present findings

Education

MD/PhD or equivalent

Job description

Site: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

Job Summary

Proposes and undertakes a mentored, innovative project or challenge to develop novel techniques for Ophthalmic Treatments. Designs and performs experiments, analyzes and presents the outcome.

Qualifications

Education MD/PhD or equivalent Can this role accept experience in lieu of a degree? No Pay Range: $71,750.00 - $73,544.00/Annual Additional Job Details (if applicable)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chekuri Lab is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join an NIH-funded research program focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of inherited retinal degenerative diseases and developing genetic therapies for these conditions. The project uses mouse models, retinal cell and molecular biology approaches, ocular genomics, and AAV-based strategies to study disease mechanisms and evaluate therapeutic approaches. The postdoctoral fellow will lead a mentored research project involving in vitro and in vivo experiments, molecular and functional outcome analyses, data presentation, manuscript preparation, and collaborative project development. This position is a good fit for a candidate interested in retinal degeneration, ocular genomics, gene therapy, and translational vision research. The lab is based at the Schepens Eye Research Institute in the Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center and has close associations with the Ocular Genomics Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. The fellow will be part of a highly collaborative vision research community with access to resources in retinal disease genetics, ocular gene therapy, genomics, imaging, animal models, and translational research.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Review and summarize relevant literature in retinal degeneration, ocular genomics, and gene therapy.
• Design, perform, and troubleshoot in vitro and in vivo experiments.
• Work with mouse models, retinal/RPE tissues, cell-based systems, and molecular biology assays.
• Analyze molecular, histological, imaging, functional, and genomic data.
• Maintain organized experimental records, protocols, and data files.
• Meet regularly with the mentor to review progress and project milestones.
• Present findings in lab meetings, seminars, conferences, and project discussions.
• Contribute to manuscripts, abstracts, posters, reports, and grant-related materials.
• Attend ARVO meetings, seminars, and training opportunities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Doctoral degree (MD or PhD)

WORKING CONDITIONS

Lab setting.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Possible lifting of 10 to 20 lbs., depending on nature of chosen project(s).

HIPAA Privacy Training and Sanctions

HIPAA Privacy Training and Sanctions All employees who have access to health information whose confidentiality is protected by the HIPAA Privacy Rule are required by the Rule to receive training so that they have an understanding and knowledge of the Privacy Rule that corresponds to their job responsibilities and of the group health plan’s policies and procedures that impact on their job duties. Training on the requirements of the HIPAA Privacy Rule and the plan’s health information policies and procedures under the direction of the institution’s privacy officer is a pre-requisite for this position. Employees who violate the requirements of the HIPAA Privacy Rule will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination. This description is intended to indicate essential tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of supervisors to assign, direct, or control the work of staff members under their supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned but that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.

Remote Type

• Onsite Work Location 20 Staniford Street
• Scheduled Weekly Hours 40
• Employee Type Regular
• Work Shift Day (United States of America)

EEO Statement

5110 Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.

Mass General Brigham Competency Framework

At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership “looks like” by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.

Combat disease. Hold a hand. Help people. Impact the world. Mass General Brigham is a passionate, welcoming community where minds meet caring hearts. Come be a part of the world’s most powerful force in medicine, where every role is important in changing lives. Are you ready? Our history includes New England hospitals founded over 200 years ago, some of the first and most prestigious hospitals in the world. Built on the legacy of two leading academic medical centers, we’re more than a system—we’re leaders in the practice of medicine. Mass General Brigham is committed to serving the community. We are dedicated to enhancing patient care, teaching and research, and taking a leadership role as an integrated health care system. We recognize that increasing value and continuously improving quality are essential to maintaining excellence.