HSC Post Doctoral Rsch Assoc

Extended Job Title

HSC Post Doctoral Rsch Assoc

Position Description

Performs specialized post-doctoral work in the planning, conducting and/or supervision of original research. Responsible for participating in a research project associated with Ph.D. studies and the interpretation of the results of publication. Work is performed under supervision of graduate faculty members with evaluation based on accomplishment of assigned objectives and overall effectiveness of the project. May supervise research and student assistants.

Major/Essential Functions

Research and Scientific Activities

1. Design, plan, and conduct independent and collaborative experiments.
2. Analyze and interpret complex datasets related to metabolic and cardiometabolic disease research.
3. Prepare manuscripts, abstracts, and presentations for peer-reviewed publications and scientific meetings.
4. Critically evaluate and synthesize scientific literature.
5. Assist in training and mentoring graduate students, technicians, and trainees.
6. Demonstrate strong interpersonal, organizational, and collaborative skills.
7. Exhibit excellent written and oral scientific communication.

Animal Models & In Vivo Techniques

1. Perform rodent handling, habituation, health monitoring, and husbandry in compliance with IACUC guidelines.
2. Conduct metabolic disease studies using mouse models of obesity, diabetes, cardiometabolic disorders, and fatty liver disease.
3. Perform injections via multiple routes including intraperitoneal, intravenous, subcutaneous, and oral gavage.
4. Perform euthanasia, perfusion, and tissue collection, including liver, adipose tissue, pancreas, skeletal muscle, blood, and other metabolic organs.
5. Assist with metabolic phenotyping studies, diet-induced obesity models, and therapeutic intervention studies.

Metabolic & Physiological Phenotyping

1. Conduct metabolic phenotyping using Comprehensive Lab Animal Monitoring System (CLAMS®) to assess energy expenditure, food intake, respiratory exchange ratio, and locomotor activity.
2. Perform body composition analysis using EchoMRI-700™.
3. Perform glucose tolerance tests (GTT), insulin tolerance tests (ITT), and metabolic biomarker analysis.
4. Analyze metabolic and physiological datasets, including statistical analysis and data visualization.

Molecular & Cellular Assays

1. Culture and maintain 2D cell lines and 3D organoid models relevant to metabolic and cardiometabolic diseases.
2. Prepare tissue homogenates and isolated cell populations for molecular and biochemical analyses.
3. Perform assays including:
   1. Western blotting
   2. qPCR and gene expression analysis
   3. ELISA and multiplex cytokine profiling
   4. Seahorse XF metabolic assays for mitochondrial function and cellular bioenergetics
   5. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry (IHC)
   6. Confocal microscopy for high-resolution cellular imaging and protein localization
   7. Flow cytometry for immune and metabolic cell profiling

Preferred Qualifications

1. Applicants should have earned a Ph.D., Pharm.D./Ph.D., or M.D./Ph.D. in pharmacology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, metabolism, or a related biomedical discipline within the last five years (or will have earned the degree prior to the start date as determined by the hiring faculty).
2. Candidates should have a documented record of experience in animal models and in vivo techniques, particularly in metabolic disease models such as obesity, diabetes, cardiometabolic disorders, and fatty liver disease. Experience with rodent handling, metabolic phenotyping, tissue collection and dissection (including liver, adipose tissue, heart, brain, hypothalamus, pancreas, skeletal muscle, and blood), and pharmacological intervention studies is desirable.
3. Additional preferred experience includes 2D and 3D cell culture systems, including organoid models; molecular and cellular assays such as Western blotting, qPCR, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence; confocal microscopy; and metabolic assays such as Seahorse analysis or metabolomic/lipidomic profiling. Demonstrated ability to work independently, analyze complex datasets, and contribute to scientific publications is highly desirable.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g., D.Sc., M.D.) in area of project specialization.

Knowledge of modern research practices, the methods, resources, and standards thereof. Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives and exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities. Ability to integrate resources, policies, and information for the determination of procedures, solutions and other outcomes. Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with other employees and the public. Ability to plan and allocate the workload of employees, providing direct training and supervision as needed.

Department

Pharmaceutical Sci Ama