Open Postdoctoral position, faculty mentor Vinit Mahajan

We have an opportunity in Dr. Vinit Mahajan's lab to perform and direct advanced genetic, genome engineering and stem cell research related to developmental biology and retinal disease. Also supervise members in the laboratory and organization.
 
BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY:
Perform highly technical and specialized scientific research by planning research experiments, analyzing data and disseminating research findings. Key areas of responsibility include helping PhD candidates and medical students plan experiments, creating mouse models for genetic disorders; maintaining and studying  mouse and human cell lines; analyzing and evaluating data/research; disseminating research results; writing of research manuscripts, proposals/grants; and selecting companies as sources of cutting-edge reagents and services.
 
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
Research
• Work independently on research tasks with limited oversight by Principal Investigator (PI).
• Establish and maintain cultures of human cells as well as the ability to differentiate human cell lines into retinal tissue.
• Assist in the development and execution of experimental protocols designed to study genetic mutations found in developmental disorders and retinal disease.
• Perform transfections and genome engineering experiments on both mouse and human cell lines.
• Inject and/or transplant human cells/viruses into mouse models.
• Mouse handling, breeding, genetics, and surgical experience with the retina is required.
• Investigate pathophysiological mechanisms of photoreceptor degeneration associated with vitreoretinopathies using cell culture systems and rodent models and elecroretinography.
• Plan, perform, and analyze results from in vitro and in vivo experiments on an as needed basis. This will include: extracellular tissue analysis, embryo dissection, microscopy (fluorescence, confocal, and lightsheet), immunohistochemistry, southern blot analysis, RT-PCR, qPCR, and western blotting. This may also include: flow cytometry and enzymatic assays.
• Collect and analyze experimental data and evaluate relevance of the data.
• Develop hypotheses to be tested and methodology for evaluating results.
• Compare experimental data with previously published work and develop and test new hypotheses.
• Supervise, train and collaborate with graduate students and other members of the laboratory, and conduct continuing education.
• Manage all or part of a research project including staff selection, assignment and scheduling, monitoring of project funds, coordination of data generation and analysis and identification, acquisition and use of equipment and facilities.
• Participate in determining research priorities and planning programs of research.
 
Dissemination of Research Results
• Prepare manuscripts for publication. 

• Present results in departmental and conference seminars.
 
Research Proposals/Grants
• Independently prepare to new or continuing research grant proposals while working within a scientific writing team. 

• Contribute to progress reports required by funding agencies. 

• Supervise adherence to safety, lab managerial tasks, and compliance guidelines when necessary.
 
Leadership Accountability
• Inspires and motivates others to high performance by exercising strong stewardship of University resources, setting expectations, measuring success through individual performance evaluations, and driving organizational results.
• Participate in the development of goals for the research project and in the planning of laboratory work; plan and coordinate the work of graduate students and other support personnel; and serve as a consultant to the project director, faculty and staff within the department.
Instruct lab personnel in proper procedures and techniques.