"Post Doctoral Associate"

Position Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a highly motivated Post Doctoral Associate to join the Panettieri Laboratory research team at the Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science (RITMS).

The Panettieri Laboratory lab investigates signal transduction mechanisms regulating airway tone, with a focus on asthma, COPD, and fibrotic lung diseases. The Post Doctoral Associate will lead projects exploring how environmental exposures and respiratory pathogens alter airway function, contribute to high-impact publications, and support grant development efforts. This is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated scientist to develop expertise in pulmonary translational research within a collaborative academic environment. This position is contingent upon funding.

Among the key responsibilities of this position are the following:

• Design and execute research projects independently and collaboratively.
• Collect, analyze, and manage experimental data; maintain research databases.
• Prepare manuscripts, grant applications, and conference presentations.
• Learn and perform lab-specific techniques; supervise and mentor junior team members.
• Seek extramural funding during the training period.
• Planning and executing research projects as assigned.
• Preparation of high-quality manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals, as well as data for research conference presentations and grant applications.
• Provide supervision and guidance to junior staff, undergraduates, and graduate students.
• Securing extramural funding during the postdoctoral training.
• Cell Culture work: media preparation, quality control testing, and daily maintenance of human airway muscle cell lines, epithelial cell lines, fibroblast cell lines, & air liquid interface co-cultures.
• Protein work: Protein isolation, immuno-precipitations, & western blotting.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references. Join us in translating basic science into new transformative therapies.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Ph.D. degree in one of the following fields: biology, cell biology, pharmacology, molecular biology, or other related fields and at least 0 to 2 years of laboratory research experience.
• Research experience in dissecting/understanding cellular signal transduction utilizing primary human cell lines is required for this position.
• Expertise in performing basic scientific assays including: RNA/DNA extraction, and protein preparation, PCR & real time-PCR, western blot analysis, ELISA are essential.
• A strong background in cell and molecular biology, and tissue culture are a prerequisite for this position.

Equipment Utilized

Tissue culture hoods and incubators, centrifuges, electrophoresis apparatus for proteins and nucleic acids, electroporator, flow cytometry, thermal cyclers, light, confocal, and fluorescent microscopes, histopathology processor, embedding center, microtome and cryostat, ELISA plate washer, ELISA plate reader, ddPCR, qPCR, and other equipment as needed.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Physical Demands:

• Standing, sitting, walking, speaking and hearing.
• Must be able to work at a computer for an extended period and must be able to operate specialized laboratory/scientific equipment.
• No special vision requirements.
• Ability to lift or exert force up to 25-50 pounds.

Work Environment:

• Biosafety Level 2 and 2+ laboratory environment working with human and animal fluids and tissue. Requires laboratory safety training.
• Will be required to work with caustic and toxic chemicals and handle controlled substances such as pharmaceutical, radiological or hazardous materials.
• Ability to work weekends, if needed.

Special Conditions

• Position is contingent upon funding.
• Ability to work weekends, if needed.