RESEARCH FELLOW

The Beamish Lab in the Internal Medicine Department/Division of Nephrology is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to contribute to an NIH-funded research project studying the molecular control of kidney epithelial cell regeneration. The project requires complementary approaches including genetic mouse models, snRNA-seq, CUT&RUN/Tag, kidney injury models, genetically engineered culture models.

Kidney injury affects up to 20% of hospital admissions, yet there are no available treatments. In the most severe forms of injury, epithelial cells in the kidney are damaged. While surviving cells can regenerate to restore kidney function, the extent of recovery is inconsistent between patients. The focus of our primary funded research project is to clarify the underlying mechanisms that control kidney epithelial regeneration. These studies will reveal new targets for the treatment of this common condition.

More broadly, our lab studies many aspects of kidney pathophysiology, including podocyte biology, metabolism, and mechanisms of acute kidney injury. We also develop novel tools and techniques to study these topics. Our long-term goals are to discover new ways to promote recovery after kidney injury, harness the regenerative potential of kidney epithelia to develop alternatives to dialysis, and prevent progression of kidney disease to kidney failure. We offer a fun and dynamic lab environment with many projects at all stages of development.

The PI is a nephrologist and physician-scientist at Michigan Medicine and the Ann Arbor VA with extensive training in kidney pathophysiology, mouse models of kidney disease, and engineered culture systems.

A cover letter outlining how your experience meets the required position qualifications is mandatory for consideration during the application review process. A CV is also required.

The successful candidate is expected to work with minimal supervision and balance the following duties:

• Develop, design, execute, troubleshoot, and analyze experiments independently. This work will require researching and troubleshooting new techniques, validating findings with orthogonal methodologies, and linking multiple experiments to robustly test hypotheses. The successful candidate will meet regularly with the PI to discuss results and prioritize next steps but must be able to function independently.
• Oversee work with mouse models of kidney disease. This will include maintenance of a large mouse colony, including breeding, genotyping, administering medications, assisting with mouse surgical procedures, performing post-operative monitoring, collecting samples, and analyzing results, all with assistance of a lab technician
• Prepare manuscripts and assist with grant preparation. The successful candidate will be encouraged to apply for external funding.
• Assist with supervision and training of junior lab personnel

PhD or equivalent in the biomedical sciences.

Must be able to perform basic molecular and cellular biology techniques without supervision. Examples include isolation of DNA, RNA, and protein from tissue and cultured samples, PCR, Western blot, immunostaining of tissue sections and cell preparations, cell culture.

Must be experienced working with laboratory mice. Must be willing and able to learn to assist with medication administration, surgical procedures, post-operative monitoring, and sample collection.

Must have experience with analysis of sequencing data (RNA-seq, CUT&RUN, etc) and/or sufficient computation background to learn these analyses.

Must have a strong publication history supporting potential for independence.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position; current authorization to work in the United States is required.

This is a 2 year term-limited appointment with the potential for extension based on funding and performance. At the end of the stated term, your appointment will terminate, and you will not be eligible for Reduction-in-Force (RIF) benefits. This term-limited appointment does not create a contract or guarantee of employment for any period of time as you will remain subject to disciplinary or other performance measures, up to and including termination, at the will of the University in accordance with existing University policy and standards for employee performance and conduct