Research Scientist - Dry Eye Disease (Finance)

Department: Vision Sciences Salary: Commensurate with experience
Description:

There is an opening for a non-tenure track Research Scientist in the Coulson-Thomas laboratory at the College of Optometry at the University of Houston to work on Dry Eye Disease, with special focus on studying the pathogenesis of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) and on studying the mechanisms that regulate Limbal Stem Cells (LESCs).

The candidate should have extensive animal training, be able to work with knock-out mouse models, and experience carrying out ocular surgeries in mice. Tissue processing skills are required including cryo and paraffin sectioning. The candidate will be required to isolate and maintain primary cells established immortalized cell lines. The candidate should have experience in basic molecular biology techniques. The candidate should have extensive experience in supervising students. The candidate should have excellent communication skills and have the ability to work together as a team as well as independently. It is anticipated that the candidate will seek independent funding opportunities as part of the position.

Responsibilities are completed under the supervision of the Principal Investigator.

This is a fast-paced lab that requires researchers be highly organized, efficient and work as a team. The College of Optometry, University of Houston provides a fertile environment for blending fundamental Glycobiology with medical and translational opportunities. The post is available immediately for a period of 1 year, which may be renewed for an additional year based on performance.

The candidate must have flexible hours and be available no less than 40 hours a week Monday-Friday. Working hours are flexible however the candidate is expected to work 8:30am-5:00pm or 9:00-5:30pm with a 30-minute lunch break.

Qualifications
An enthusiastic and motivated career-oriented PhD or MD-PhD with strong experience working with animals, strong record of first author publications and have the ability to work in a team and think independently. The candidate is also expected to be able to establish and maintain successful interactions/collaborations. Excellent communication skills are key.

Preferred Qualifications
- Comfortable with performing animal surgeries.
- Experience working with animals including maintaining colonies, of special interest is experience with transgenic mouse models.
- Proficiency in histology, whole mounting eyelids and cell culture techniques.
- Skills to follow animal research protocols and stay within compliance of IACUC guidelines.
- Basic Cell & Molecular biology skills, including: PCR, gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, RNA isolation, protein isolation, glycosaminoglycan isolation, immunocyto/histochemistry, fluorescence microscopy and CRISPR technology.

Official transcripts are required for a faculty appointment and will be requested upon selection of the final candidates. All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are an Equal Opportunity Institution.