Research Position – Ophthalmology & Neuroscience

Employer: University of Texas Medical Branch

Location: Galveston, Texas

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Closing date: Jun 22, 2026

Discipline: Life Sciences, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience

Job Type: Research Scientist

Organization Type: Academia

Job Details

The Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas, invites applications from candidates with a strong background in cell biology, organoid culture, molecular biology, and/or mechanistic studies for a research position in the laboratory of Dr. Wenbo Zhang. The appointment title and rank will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience and may be at the level of Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Scientist.

The laboratory focuses on the following research areas:

1. Mechanisms of retinal neuronal and vascular injury, as well as pathological angiogenesis in retinal diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and retinopathy of prematurity.
2. Mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, and the development of novel biomarkers using the retina-brain axis as a model.
3. The role of epigenetics in corneal inflammation, neovascularization, and wound healing following chemical injury.

We employ cutting-edge technologies, including 10x Genomics single-cell RNA sequencing, high-definition spatial profiling, proteomics, conditional knockout/knock-in mouse models, in vivo and in vitro disease models, and 3D cell printing. Our studies integrate advanced, non-invasive clinical imaging and functional testing (e.g., OCT, OCT angiography, retinal blood flow measurement, ERG/PERG, and corneal confocal microscopy) with histology, molecular biology, cell biology, and live-cell confocal microscopy. Our work has been published in high-impact journals such as Molecular Therapy, Journal of Experimental Medicine, Science Advances, Circulation Research, Cell Death & Disease, Acta Neuropathologica Communications, and IOVS.

Job Duties:

Applicants should be highly motivated, collaborative, and possess strong expertise and interest in at least one of the following areas: organoid culture, cell and molecular biology, retinal diseases, or 3D cell printing. The successful candidate will be responsible for planning and executing experiments in close collaboration with the Principal Investigator.

Please send your C.V. and contact information for three references to:

Wenbo Zhang, Ph.D.

Professor

Edwin and Rebecca Gale Endowed Distinguished Chair in Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

Department of Ophthalmology

University of Texas Medical Branch

E-mail: we2zhang@UTMB.edu