Post Doctoral Fellow - Ophthalmology

The Ophthalmology Department at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications as a Post Doctoral Fellow.

About the Opportunity

The Postdoctoral Fellow will conduct independent and collaborative research in the laboratories of the Principal Investigator within the Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at West Virginia University. The laboratory is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and WVU and investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying retinal development, structural maintenance, function, and neurodegeneration. The research focuses on understanding how membrane protein organization, cellular metabolism, and NAD homeostasis regulates retinal cell structure, function, and survival. The successful candidate will use multidisciplinary approaches, including molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, protein chemistry, imaging, and genetically modified mouse models and mammalian cell culture systems.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will be expected to develop and execute research projects, analyze and interpret experimental data, contribute to manuscripts and grant applications, and present research findings at scientific meetings. The incumbent will also assist with coordination of research projects and provide training and supervision to graduate and undergraduate students as appropriate. Candidates with strong backgrounds in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, vision research, or related disciplines are encouraged to apply. Individuals who are highly motivated to develop an independent research program and pursue a career as an independent investigator are particularly encouraged.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

1. Conduct independent research addressing the molecular, cellular, biochemical, and metabolic mechanisms underlying retinal development, function, and neurodegeneration using genetically modified mouse models, mammalian cell culture, and complementary experimental approaches.
2. Perform and analyze targeted metabolomics, transcriptomics, and other large-scale datasets, including pathway and integrative analyses to identify molecular mechanisms and generate experimentally testable hypotheses.
3. Design, optimize, and implement experimental approaches and laboratory protocols using molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, protein chemistry, imaging, and related techniques.
4. Plan and coordinate research experiments, including experimental design, scheduling, ordering necessary materials and reagents, troubleshooting technical challenges, and ensuring timely completion of project milestones.
5. Independently analyze and interpret experimental data, perform appropriate statistical analyses, integrate findings from multiple experimental approaches, and discuss results with the Principal Investigator and collaborators.
6. Maintain accurate and detailed research records, including experimental procedures, protocols, raw data, analyses, results, and other documentation necessary to ensure rigor and reproducibility.
7. Prepare manuscripts, abstracts, scientific presentations, progress reports, and other research materials describing experimental findings for publication and presentation at scientific meetings.
8. Contribute to the development of research proposals and grant applications, including generation of preliminary data, preparation of figures, scientific writing, literature review, and development of new research directions.
9. Identify appropriate fellowship, career-development, and research funding opportunities and work with the Principal Investigator to prepare competitive applications supporting the candidate's scientific and professional development.
10. Present research findings at laboratory meetings, departmental seminars, scientific conferences, and other professional forums and communicate project progress to the Principal Investigator and collaborators.
11. Review current scientific literature and emerging technologies relevant to retinal biology, neurodegeneration, metabolism, molecular and cellular biology, and related research areas.
12. Train and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in experimental techniques, research design, data analysis, scientific interpretation, and responsible laboratory practices.
13. Assist in coordinating research activities within the laboratory, including collaborative projects, shared research resources, and interactions with institutional cores and external collaborators.
14. Ensure compliance with institutional research protocols, laboratory safety requirements, animal-use regulations, biosafety procedures, and responsible conduct of research standards.
15. Develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP) with the Principal Investigator and actively pursue scientific, technical, communication, grant-writing, mentoring, and leadership skills necessary to achieve long-term career goals and progression toward research independence.

• PhD or PhD/MD in Biological/biomedical sciences, and Biochemistry in Retina Research.
• A minimum of 0-6 months of relevant research experience in Vision/Retina fields and biology laboratory setting.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong laboratory skills in molecular and cellular biology, including DNA/RNA isolation, PCR/qPCR, cloning, gene-expression analysis, immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, and related molecular techniques.
• Experience with protein biochemistry and protein-expression analysis, including characterization of protein abundance, interactions, localization, and function.
• Experience working with laboratory mice, including handling, breeding, genotyping, colony management, experimental procedures, and tissue collection. Experience with genetically modified mouse models is preferred.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and the ability to design and perform cell-based molecular and biochemical experiments.
• Experience with microscopy and quantitative image analysis. Experience with retinal histology, immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, or other advanced imaging approaches is desirable.
• Knowledge of metabolomics, mass spectrometry, RNA sequencing, and/or other omics approaches, with the ability to perform or interpret pathway and quantitative data analyses. Experience integrating transcriptomic and metabolomic datasets is desirable.
• Strong experimental design and problem-solving skills, including the ability to formulate hypotheses, design appropriate experiments, identify technical problems, troubleshoot experiments, and develop practical solutions.
• Ability to independently analyze and interpret complex experimental datasets, apply appropriate statistical approaches, establish relationships among findings, and draw scientifically valid conclusions.
• Ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and integrate published findings with experimental observations to develop new hypotheses and research directions.
• Strong scientific writing skills, including the ability to prepare manuscripts, abstracts, research reports, fellowship applications, and components of research grant proposals.
• Strong oral communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly communicate complex scientific concepts and research findings to both specialized and broader scientific audiences.
• Ability to prepare high-quality scientific figures, graphs, schematics, and data visualizations for publications, presentations, and grant applications.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills, including the ability to prioritize multiple experiments, coordinate research activities, maintain accurate records, and meet project deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative research environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary investigators and research teams across molecular biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, ophthalmology, imaging, metabolomics, bioinformatics, and related disciplines.
• Ability and willingness to mentor and train undergraduate and graduate students in laboratory techniques, experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication.
• Commitment to research rigor, reproducibility, laboratory safety, responsible conduct of research, and compliance with institutional research protocols.
• Strong motivation for continued scientific and professional development, particularly for candidates interested in progressing toward an independent research career.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.