Research Professional 5-Biomedical Research

About the role

The Research Professional 5 is a senior scientific staff position advancing independent and collaborative research on neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic retinopathy and other diabetes-associated retinal disease, retinal and optic nerve inflammation and neurodegeneration, microglial activation, microglia-vascular interactions and angiogenesis, tissue injury and repair, and therapeutic response.

The position will integrate in vivo ocular disease models, primary microglia and vascular cell systems, and human RPE/choroid explant models, including tissues from donors with nAMD or diabetes, to define disease mechanisms and evaluate candidate therapies. Under the Principal Investigator’s general direction, the incumbent uses substantial scientific judgment in study design, execution, analysis, troubleshooting, and interpretation and contributes to publications, grants, mentoring, and laboratory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Research design and execution (45%)
  • Design and conduct rigorous in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro studies relevant to ocular inflammation, neurodegeneration, angiogenesis, tissue injury and repair, and evaluation of candidate interventions.
  • Select appropriate controls, establish study endpoints, optimize and validate protocols, troubleshoot complex experiments, and document methods and outcomes to support reproducibility.
  • Apply appropriate biomedical methods, which may include mammalian cell culture, primary cells or tissue explants, ocular disease models, molecular and biochemical assays, microscopy, ocular imaging, functional testing, and targeted delivery procedures.
• Data analysis and scientific communication (20%)
  • Analyze and interpret quantitative imaging, molecular, cellular, physiological, and other research data using appropriate statistical and computational methods.
  • Prepare figures, manuscripts, abstracts, presentations, technical reports, and progress updates; present findings to scientific audiences and maintain organized research records and data files.
• Grant and research program development (15%)
  • Develop new research directions through literature review, testable hypotheses, and preliminary data.
  • Contribute scientific content and documentation to grant applications and reports.
  • When permitted by University policy, sponsor requirements, and applicable approvals, serve in an investigator role or pursue external funding.
• Collaboration and mentoring (10%)
  • Collaborate with investigators, research staff, core facilities, and external partners; coordinate interdisciplinary experiments.
  • Train or mentor students, trainees, and junior staff in research methods, data analysis, responsible conduct, and safe laboratory practice.
• Laboratory operations and compliance (10%)
  • Develop standard operating procedures, maintain research resources and equipment, support efficient workflows, complete required training, and comply with applicable IACUC, IBC, human-tissue, biosafety, chemical-safety, data-management, and responsible-conduct requirements.

Work Environment

Work is primarily on campus in laboratory, office, imaging, and animal-research environments and may involve human or animal tissues, laboratory animals, biological materials, chemicals, and instruments requiring training and personal protective equipment. The role normally follows a fixed full-time schedule, with occasional adjustments for time-sensitive studies; regular travel is not expected. Work includes computer and microscopy use, fine-motor tasks, periods of sitting or standing, and movement of routine laboratory supplies and equipment.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• PhD, MD, or equivalent terminal degree in vision science, neuroscience, biomedical sciences, cell or molecular biology, immunology, pharmacology, or a closely related field, plus at least three years of progressively responsible relevant research experience, including postdoctoral training or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design, execute, troubleshoot, analyze, and document complex biomedical studies, with hands-on experience in mammalian cell or tissue research and relevant molecular, cellular, biochemical, imaging, or physiological methods.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity and proficiency in quantitative data analysis and clear scientific communication.
• Strong organizational skills; ability to work independently and collaboratively, complete required institutional training, and work safely with relevant research materials and models.

Preferred Qualifications

• Research experience in ophthalmology or vision science—including retinal or optic nerve biology, glaucoma, neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, glial or vascular biology, or angiogenesis—and with ocular disease or injury models and related methods such as ocular injections, intraocular pressure measurement, optical coherence tomography, electroretinography, fundus imaging, or angiography.
• Experience with primary neural, glial, vascular, or ocular cells; human ocular tissue or explant models; advanced imaging or multi-omic methods; grant development; mentoring; or interdisciplinary project coordination.

About the Department

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences and its success is built upon the innovation and drive of every member of our team, from faculty to administrators to technicians. All of us are driven to provide the best eye care for our patients, discover new treatments, and educate the next generation of eye care professionals.

Pay

Annual Salary Range: $86,000 - $88,000, depending on education, qualifications, and experience.

Benefits

• Time Appointment: 100% appointment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including:
  • Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off.
  • Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program.
  • Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans.
  • Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
  • University HSA contributions.
  • Disability and employer-paid life insurance.
  • Employee wellbeing program.
  • Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution.
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity.
  • Financial counseling services.
  • Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost.
  • Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area.