Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Title: Postdoctoral Scholar

Classification Code: FP01

Basic Function and Responsibility

To serve as a member of a multidisciplinary laboratory focused on disease modeling and therapeutics development for patients with inherited retinal disease. To assist the Principal Investigator in the design, interpretation, and control of experiments in a cellular and molecular research laboratory. To coordinate and execute designed experiments, including the interpretation and evaluation of research data.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

* Help to design and plan experiments for various projects with the Principal Investigator, including in-depth literature research to evaluate the current standard for specific experimental protocols. This also includes coordinating ongoing research, and interpreting and evaluating results as they are obtained.

* Generate, maintain, and differentiate induced pluripotent stem cells for use in disease modeling projects.

* Use recombinant DNA techniques to correct mutations in patient-derived cells and analyze correction efficiency. This involves identifying the genomic target, building the targeting and correction cassettes, testing the efficiency of targeting and correction in HEK cells and patient cell lines, and analyzing results to determine off-targeting effects.

* Assist the Principal Investigator in compilation and evaluation of data for preparation of manuscripts for publication in scientific journals, grant applications, and posters/talks for local and international scientific conferences. Also expected to prepare posters/talks and represent the lab at local and international scientific conferences.

* Contribute to new or continuing research grant proposals to obtain funding for research activities. Includes contributing to progress reports required by funding agencies.

* Supervise adherence to safety and compliance guidelines when necessary.

"We Care" Core Values

* Welcoming - We have an environment where everyone has a voice that is heard; that promotes the dignity of our patients, trainees, and employees; and allows all to thrive in their health, work, research, and education.

* Excellence - We achieve and deliver our personal and collective best in the pursuit of quality and accessible health care, education, and research.

* Collaboration - We collaborate with health care systems, providers, and communities across Iowa and the region as well as within our UI community. We believe teamwork-guided by compassion-is the best way to work.

* Accountability - We behave ethically, act with fairness and integrity, take responsibility for our own actions, and respond when errors in behavior or judgment occur.

* Respect - We create an environment where every individual feels safe, valued, and respected, supporting the well-being and success of all members of our community.

* Empowerment - We commit to fair access to research, health care, and education for our community and opportunities for personal and professional growth for our staff and learners.

Supervision Received

Expected to work independently and collaboratively. Training in advanced techniques will be provided by the Principal Investigator, or appropriate subject matter expert on an ongoing and as needed basis.

Supervision Exercised

Functional supervision may be exercised over research assistants, laboratory assistants, and other assigned research personnel.

Education Requirements

Requires the practical or academic knowledge of ophthalmic diseases, and clinical ophthalmology plus the ability to translate, adapt and apply this knowledge that is generally associated with a PhD or MD, or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible work experience. Two or more years of experience in ophthalmic diseases and/or clinical research of human diseases is highly desirable.

Required Qualifications

* A PhD in Biology, Molecular Biology, or another related biological science field, or a MD is required.

* Excellent written and verbal skills.

* Demonstrated experience in a clinical ophthalmology setting.

Desired Qualifications

1. Residency, fellowship, internship, or volunteer experience in a clinical ophthalmology setting.

2. Familiarity with Macintosh computers, including the applications Microsoft Word and Excel, Adobe Photoshop, and Endnote or Papers software.

3. Ability to contribute to manuscript and grant preparation.