Career Center

Three Post-Doctoral Positions in Understanding the Molecular Basis of Mendelian Disorders and Developing New Therapeutics

Three NIH-funded POSTDOCTORAL positions are available immediately in the lab of Prof. Zubair Ahmed (Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Translational Research) at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore (https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/profiles/Ahmed-Zubair/).

Our mission: Prof. Ahmed's lab research is focused on the genetics, functional analysis and development of therapeutics interventions for Mendelian disorders of hearing, vision and pigmentation. We use a broad range of techniques from human genetics (exome and whole-genome sequencing), cell biology and biochemical assays, viral-mediated gene delivery, neurophysiological and molecular studies in vivo and in vitro, using tissue culture, mouse models, and zebrafish. Our ultimate goal is to understand the molecular basis of hearing, vision and pigmentation deficits in humans and to develop new treatments to restore their hearing, vision, and melanogenesis functions.

Jobs description: Three NIH funded full-time postdoctoral positions, in 1: Genomics, 2: Inner ear or 3: Retinal cell biology are immediately available.

1: Mendelian Genomics: The postdoctoral fellow will analyze next-generation sequence data (exome and whole-genome) generated on samples from individuals with a variety of Mendelian traits including nonsyndromic hearing impairment, eye disease, pigmentation disorder, etc. Filtering techniques, bioinformatics evaluation, and molecular modeling to identify putatively pathogenic variants will be used. The successful candidate will also write and publish manuscripts and give presentations at international meetings. Selected representative publications: PMID: 31743939; 30401457; 29572253; 28266639; 26197705; 23023331.

The applicant should have a Ph.D. (or related degree) in bioinformatics, genetics, molecular biology, epidemiology, computer science or related field. Previous experience in analyzing genetic data e.g. next-generation sequence data and programming/writing scripts e.g. R or Python is highly desirable.

2: Inner ear biology: The postdoctoral fellow will lead projects related to molecular understanding of novel genes associated with hearing loss in humans, and translational approaches to improve inner ear functions (hearing and balance) in transgenic animal models. Techniques related to the inner ear cell biology, histology, high resolution confocal imaging, and physiological techniques (e.g. Auditory Brainstem Responses, DPOAEs), amongst others will be used. The successful candidate will also write and publish manuscripts and give presentations at international meetings. Selected representative publications: PMID: 28663585; 29590114; 29408807.

The applicant should have an MD or Ph.D. (or related degree) in neuroscience, cellular or molecular biology, or biochemistry. Expertise in the inner ear cell biology, functional analysis, or physiology is welcomed. Experience with working with animal models is preferable. The candidate must be a team player, think critically and with excellent oral and written communication skills.

3: Retinal cell biology: Full-time postdoctoral position leading projects related to the translational approaches to reduce/ improve vision loss for age-related macular degeneration and Usher syndrome using novel transgenic mouse models; characterization of retina structure and function, and high throughput content screening. These projects will require knowledge/additional training in the retina cell biology, cell culture, high resolution imaging, physiological techniques (e.g. ERG), and gene delivery amongst other techniques. The successful candidate will also write and publish manuscripts and give presentations at international meetings. Selected representative publications: PMID: 32274888; 31743939; bioRxiv 2020.09.18.302265; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.09.18.302265 and bioRxiv 2020.09.18.302174; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.09.18.302174).

The applicant should have an MD or Ph.D. (or related degree) in ophthalmology, neuroscience, cellular or molecular biology, or biochemistry. Expertise in the retinal cell biology, functional analysis, or physiology is welcomed. Experience with stem cell and/or iPSC differentiation and high throughout/content screening are especially encouraged to apply. The candidate must be a team player, think critically and with excellent oral and written communication skills.

Benefits: Stipend follows the NIH recommended guidelines and full health benefits.

Contact: Please email your curriculum vitae, research statement and the names and contact information for up to four references to Zubair M. Ahmed zmahmed@som.umaryland.edu with the header of specific position: 1: Mendelian Genomics Postdoc, 2: Inner inner biology or 3: Retinal cell biology.

Environment: The laboratory is part of the departments of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery and Ophthalmology, and we are affiliated also with the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The lab is housed in a newly build large open space at the University of Maryland - HSFIII, in a highly collaborative fashion. The University has state of the art confocal, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, proteomics, flow cytometry and immunology, animal and sequencing facilities. We have the skills and expertise to perform in-depth functional analyses of vision, auditory, and vestibular dysfunction in mouse and zebrafish. The team consists of graduate students, post docs, residents, and surgeons working together on basic science and translational studies. The postdoctoral appointments are renewed on an annual basis contingent on performance and available funding.

Requirements: The applicant should have an MD or Ph.D. (or related degree) in ophthalmology, neuroscience, cellular or molecular biology, or biochemistry. Expertise in the retinal cell biology, functional analysis, or physiology is welcomed. Experience with stem cell and/or iPSC differentiation and high throughout/content screening are especially encouraged to apply. The candidate must be a team player, think critically and with excellent oral and written communication skills.