Postdoctoral Scholar

About the role

The Wallrath and Drack Laboratories in the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences respectively, in the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, are seeking to hire two postdoctoral researchers. Join a team of investigators to uncover disease mechanisms and develop therapies for human vision disorders. The research spans foundational studies and translational approaches. The candidates will be responsible for designing experiments, generating data, analyzing data, presenting research findings at scientific conferences, writing manuscripts, and assisting in the daily operations of the laboratory as well as human studies in electrophysiology. The postdoctoral researchers will also be encouraged to seek extramural and/or intramural funding to support their innovative research endeavors.

Responsibilities

• Maintain mammalian cell cultures in a sterile BSL-2 environment, adhering to safety protocols
• Perform siRNA knock-down experiments in mammalian cells
• Perform CRISPR-based gene regulation experiments
• Design AAV vectors for gene therapy of mouse models
• Capture fluorescent images using microscopy and quantify data
• Purify proteins and perform western analyses
• Maintain a mouse colony and establish genetic crosses
• Maintain detailed experimental records
• Use standard laboratory software that includes Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, GraphPad Prism, SnapGene or other DNA sequence analysis programs, etc.
• Collaborate with a team to organize and conduct human clinical trials
• Supervise and train junior lab members on laboratory procedures
• Stay updated on relevant research through literature searches and present journal clubs
• Prepare research materials for publications and presentations (internal and external) and present findings at scientific conferences
• Collaborate with a diverse team of researchers at the University of Iowa, across the United States, and internationally

Qualifications

Education requirement: Ph.D. in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, or related discipline and/or an MD degree with research experience. Prior postdoctoral experience is not necessary.

Required qualifications: Excellent organizational and time-management skills.

Desired qualifications:

• Experience in maintaining and working with mammalian cultured cells
• Demonstrated proficiency in microscopy techniques and data analysis
• Background and experience in molecular biology
• Experience in mouse or other small rodent handling
• Experience with ocular electrophysiology