Researcher - Medicine

Penn State University; Hershey (PA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Medicine in Hershey, PA, is seeking a non-tenure line Researcher to join the Nighot laboratory focused on intestinal mucosal homeostasis and autophagy in IBD.

The role involves developing research projects, employing advanced molecular techniques, and presenting findings at conferences. Strong candidates will have a PhD in cell and molecular biology and experience with academic research environments.

Qualifications

• PhD in cell and molecular biology or comparable field.
• Demonstrated strong research knowledge, skills and attitudes.
• Experience with academic research environment and teamwork.
• Ability for critical, out-of-box thinking and innovative approaches.
• Experience interrogating cellular pathways and molecular techniques including cloning and site-directed mutagenesis.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct research projects under general direction of the PI in a self-driven fashion.
• Develop appropriate research methods.
• Creative use of animal models.
• Data analyses and interpretation.
• Presentation of research at scientific conferences and meetings.
• Manuscript preparation.

Skills

Strong research knowledge

Critical thinking

Out-of-box thinking

Interrogate cellular pathways

Molecular cloning

Site-directed mutagenesis

Genetic modulation

Team-oriented collaboration

Education

PhD in cell and molecular biology

Tools

Flow cytometry

Confocal imaging

Organoid culture

Molecular techniques

Job description

The Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Medicine in Hershey, PA is seeking a non-tenure line Researcher.

The Nighot laboratory has been focused on intestinal mucosal homeostasis in health and disease (https://sites.psu.edu/nighot/). The lab is especially interested in the role of defective intestinal tight junction (TJ) barrier in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis, and the role of autophagy in TJ barrier regulation. Autophagy, a cell survival mechanism, degrades unnecessary, misfolded and long-lived proteins and organelles and helps cell survive under stress. The lab's pioneering studies have shown that autophagy enhances TJ barrier and ameliorates intestinal inflammation in experimental colitis. We are also interested in investigating novel targets to combat IBD, and the role of extra cellular matrix proteins, ion transporters, signaling molecules, and cytokines in intestinal inflammation. We have also recently begun investigating the role of autophagy and gut-liver axis in liver diseases. We use in-vivo, ex-vivo, whole animal, and in-vitro approaches in our research work. The techniques used in the lab include cell and molecular approaches, genetically modified animal models, advanced confocal imaging, flow cytometry, innovative culture models such as organoids, and working with clinical samples.

Responsibilities

• developing, designing and conducting research projects under general direction of the PI but in self-driven fashion
• developing appropriate research methods
• creative use of animal models
• data analyses and interpretation
• presentation of research in scientific conferences and meetings
• manuscript preparation

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a PhD in cell and molecular biology or comparable field and experience in the related research field. The candidate will demonstrate evidence of strong research knowledge, skills and attitudes; an interest in the research field and a familiarity and success with the academic team research environment. The candidate will have ability for critical, out-of-box thinking, innovation in research work, ability to interrogate cellular pathways, and practical knowledge of advanced molecular techniques beside molecular cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, and genetic modulation. Candidates who have been highly productive with motivation and passion for science and a wide range of research experiences, including analysis of human datasets are encouraged to apply.

Background Checks/Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

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