Postdoctoral Scholar

Post Doctoral Researcher to pursue specialized research training, education and experience under the guidance of a scientific mentor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine within the Department of Internal Medicine; plans, designs and executes experiments of considerable scope and complexity in the assigned research lab focusing on (type of research); collects and analyzes data for research sponsored by appropriate agencies and Institutions; identifies and selects problems to be studied; develops and troubleshoots new experimental techniques and protocols; attends research seminars; contributes to manuscript preparation and supports technical writing; participates in preparation of grant applications for extramural funding; performs additional duties as assigned.

Post-doctoral position in metabolic regulation of senescence, wound repair, and regeneration in the lung

We are seeking a highly motivated post-doctoral fellow for an available NIH-funded postdoctoral position in the field of lung biology, aging, metabolism, and mitochondria.Research in the Mora and Rojas laboratory is focused on the understanding of the pathogenesis of idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), aging as a major risk factor for IPF, and the role of senescence and mitochondrial pathways in alveolar regeneration and repair. Our studies have found that mitochondrial metabolism plays a critical role in the differentiation of epithelial cells, mitochondrial-nuclear communication, and posttranslational mechanisms that regulate repair responses. Our research is aimed to identify novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets to control lung fibrosis.

The ideal candidate will independently perform studies utilizing established in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo preclinical models and will have the opportunity to develop and refine novel systems. Our laboratory is well-resourced to conduct these studies and has access to human biospecimens to confirm relevance of findings from in vitro and in vivo models in human disease. The candidate will have an opportunity to learn or become more proficient in the techniques used in the lab including lung organoids, precision cut lung slices, transgenic rodent models, preclinical models of lung fibrosis, in vitro and in vivo testing therapeutic candidates, scRNAseq, spatial transcriptomics, confocal and electron microscopy imaging, flow cytometry, and standard biochemical/molecular approaches. Our research group participates in SenNet NIH initiative, NHLBI consortiums of Models of Lung Fibrosis, Studies of Lung Aging, and collaborations with the pharmaceutical industry.

The applicant should preferably have a strong background in molecular biology. Prior experience using animal models of lung injury and/or primary isolation and culture of lung-derived cells are highly desirable but not a requirement. A competitive salary and benefits will be offered based on the NIH postdoctoral pay scale. The candidate will be expected to attend and present at local and national scientific meetings and funds are available for travel