Post Doctoral.Post Doctoral.Associate

About the Lab

The Chen Lab at the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, uses pharmacological and molecular biological methods to study retinal degenerative diseases and develop new treatments. Current research focuses on small molecules that upregulate protein homeostasis and mitigate retinal immune responses, utilizing high-throughput screening, retina ex vivo culture, and in vivo mouse retinal morphology and physiology techniques. The lab aims to identify and characterize compounds that repair defective homeostasis in cells with mutated rhodopsin, develop a drug screening platform using retinal explants, and advance treatments to large animal models and clinical trials. The lab publishes in high-impact journals such as Nat Comm, JCI Insight, and Comm Biol, and is supported by NIH R01, Hillman Challenge Research Award, and the FFB TRAP Award. More information is available at https://ivy00chen.wixsite.com/chenlab.

Responsibilities

• Lead pharmacological studies of retinal degenerative diseases, focusing on two primary projects:
  • Mechanism of actions of methotrexate in rescuing retinal function in retinitis pigmentosa.
  • Pharmacological studies of nuclear speckle rejuvenation in retinitis pigmentosa.
• Participate in collaborative projects, with contributions recognized as co-authorship.
• Utilize cell culture, retina explant culture, and rodent models to investigate efficacy, safety, mechanism of action, and pharmacokinetics of drug candidates.
• Investigate disease mechanisms alongside drug discovery and development.
• Conduct research as a leading force within a collaborative team and present findings at national/international conferences.
• Draft first-authored research manuscripts under the supervision of the PI.
• Write applications for postdoctoral fellowships and career development grants.
• Develop leadership skills by assisting the PI with lab management, training junior scientists, editing IBC and IACUC protocols, maintaining and breeding animals, and ordering research materials.
• Deliver at least one project resulting in a first-authored research article accepted in a solid journal (e.g., FASEB J or higher) before leaving the lab.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in pharmacology, biochemistry, or pharmacy, or an MD with ophthalmology training.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in rodent retinal techniques, including OCT, ERG, and retinal histology.
• Expertise in routine tissue culture, Western blots, and qPCR.
• Alternatively, expertise in pharmacology skill sets, including rodent treatment, pharmacokinetics using HPLC, and efficacy/mechanism of action studies.
• At least one first-author research article accepted by a mainstream journal.

Opportunities

• Access to the Department of Ophthalmology’s Biology in Vision and three other Vision and Hearing graduate certificate courses.
• Support to attend national/international meetings when sufficient data is available for presentation.
• Assistance and a successful track record in securing fellowship and travel awards.
• Strong career development support for academic independence or pharmaceutical industry roles.

This is a full-time, regular position. PA Act 153 clearances and background checks (PA State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Criminal Record Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance) are required prior to employment and as a condition of continued employment.