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.

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 experime