Job Summary
Mitochondrial biology in metabolic health and disease: A postdoctoral position is available in the Chaudhuri lab within the Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (http://www.cvrti.utah.edu), at the University of Utah. Projects for interested candidates will focus on one of the following areas: (1) mitochondrial function in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, (2) development of therapeutics targeting mitochondrial function.
About our laboratory
Our laboratory focuses on mitochondrial physiology in metabolic disease. We study the control of metabolism by ion channels and transporters, and are interested in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Currently, we are studying mitochondrial calcium signaling and how it is altered in heart, liver, and kidney failure. Our research employs techniques in molecular and cellular biology, electrophysiology, imaging, genetic and whole-animal cardiovascular assays. This position represents an opportunity to work side-by-side with talented graduate students, postdocs, and specialists in a dynamic and stimulating research environment at the University of Utah.
Interested candidates are encouraged to send an email describing research interests, a CV and the names of 3 references to d.chaudhuri@utah.edu
Responsibilities
Independently plan, design, and conduct experiments using cellular and rodent models to investigate molecular mechanisms of metabolic and mitochondrial dysfunction, with a focus on heart and liver.
Perform a variety of molecular, cellular, and biochemical techniques, with expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- Imaging in areas such as live-cell imaging, including computational and/or automated analyses of high-content imaging data; histology analyses; immunocytochemistry; immunohistochemistry.
- Ion channel biology and voltage-clamp electrophysiology
- Surgical and/or genetic mouse models of mitochondrial, cardiac, or liver disease
- Computational approaches for high-throughput sequencing, high-content imaging, protein design, etc.
- Mitochondrial function assays or metabolomics
- Cell culture of primary, immortalized, IPSCs or organoid lines
- Protein biochemistry and/or molecular biology (protein purification, spectrophotometric assays, drug binding assays, RNA interference, PCR, qPCR, ELISA, Western blotting)
Responsibilities
- If projects involve mouse models, then help supervise maintenance of these colonies with technicians, perform animal handling procedures (e.g. surgical procedures, drug administration) and ensure all activities comply with regulatory requirements and ethical guidelines.
- Collect, analyze, interpret, and document research data
- Use statistical and bioinformatic tools to analyze research data
- Prepare and write detailed scientific reports and manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals
- Present research findings regularly at one-on-one meetings, lab meetings, internal seminars, and national or international scientific conferences.
- Assist the principal investigator (PI) in preparing grant applications and reports for internal and extramural funding agencies.
- Work closely and collaborate with the PI, other lab members, and external researchers across disciplines.
- Mentor and supervise junior lab members, including undergraduate and graduate students
Minimum Qualifications
Preferences
Essential qualifications
- PhD in biological sciences (e.g. Biochemistry, biomedical science, Biophysics, Physiology) and/or MD with relevant experience in biomedical research.
- Have significant experience, including peer-reviewed publications, in one or more of the following areas: fluorescence imaging, mitochondrial biology, ion channel electrophysiology, mouse models of cardiovascular or metabolic disease, therapeutics/drug development, protein biochemistry/molecular biology, structural biology
- Comfortable working with rodent models of disease
- Highly-motivated individuals with excellent written and oral communication skills
- Very comfortable working on multiple projects at varying levels of responsibility as part of a team-based approach.