St. Petersburg, Florida
Northern & Central California, California
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Work Remote,
New York, New York
New Orleans, Louisiana
Posted: 09-May-23
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Salary: 43,944.32 - 123,022.07
Internal Number: 347893
Title: Researcher 5
Classification: 9742R5
This is a temporary, full-time one (1) year position with the possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance, availability of work, and departmental funding.
Project/Job Description:
Neuro Immuno Interface lab studies the interaction between sensory neurons, epithelial cells, and the immune system, and circadian rhythm roles in this interaction. Our lab has discovered cutaneous neurotransmitter and light receptors and their crucial function in skin sensation (itch and pain) , homeostasis and their relation to circadian rhythm. Using human primary keratinocytes, fibroblast culture, knock-out mice model with molecular and cellular techniques, we have characterized inter-cellular, cellular-matrix, skin cell, peripheral nerve fibers interaction and the receptor signaling pathways.
The incubant will conduct experiments and develop further the molecular biology related projects in the lab using epigenetic and transcriptomic analysis and molecular biochemical technique dissecting signaling pathway and transcriptional regulatory mechanism in the interaction between epithelial, immune, and nerve cells, and the effects of cytokines and neurotransmitters on epithelial circadian rhythms and the downstream effects of the circadian genes to the cellular DNA. Our lab mainly use human skin biopsies, primary keratinocyte, iPSC derived sensory neurons, and 2D and 3D model system as tools.
Job Responsibilities:
30%
- Study the effect of circadian genes on immune response in skin and its impact on skin physiology and pathology.
- Dissect the transcriptional regulatory mechanism on above multi facet interaction.
20%
- Isolate RNA from skin biopsies and primary keratinocytes and sensory neurons.
- Conduct RNAseq, ChIP assay, qPCR
- Analyze the morphology and expression of RNA and protein in human skin samples using western blot analysis. The techniques involve immunohistochemistry, various forms of microscopy and spectroscopy, RNA isolation, and various RNA analysis methods.
20%
- Transcription, epigenetic data analysis and signaling pathways finding and dissection.
10%
- Grow 3D full thickness skin model, create new 3D models with genetically modified cells, and incorporate other cell types including vascular, neural, and pigmented cells into the models.
10%
- Derive human peripheral sensory neurons from human stem cells.
- Study the interactions between epidermal cells and peripheral nerve fibers in co-culture.
- Characterize the change of the quality and function of the neuron or the epithelial cells due to the presence of the other component.
- Experiments will involve culture of skin cells and neuronal cells and co-culture of both; calcium imaging; confocal microscopy.
10%
- Manuscript and grant proposal writing.
Required Qualifications:
- Advanced degree with 1 or more years of research training.
- Experience in molecular biology/cellular biology work, particularly in epigenetic regulations in the translational interface between human disorders and cellular 2D and 3D models.
- Demonstrated skills in experiment handling and design in molecular biology, cell culture, and/or fluorescence microscopy.
- Skilled working knowledge and experience of current biology/biochemistry pathways and techniques.
- Experience with molecular (RNA, DNA, Protein and ChIP assay) and cellular analysis of biology samples and dissecting molecular signaling pathway.
- Good team player with strong communication skills, able to think for oneself, and good at troubleshooting independently.
- Abillity to contribute to manuscript completion as part of grant applications.
- Passionate about own work with strong work ethics.
Preferred Qualifications/Skills:
- PhD degree in biology, pharmacology, neuroscience or related fields and 3 years of related experience or a combination of education and work experience to equal six (6) years.
- Experience using different light source and interface design with microscopy and immuno-histochemistry.
- Experience with human primary human skin keratinocyte, stem cell derived sensory neurons and related cells for 2D and 3D models.
- Demonstratved skill in isolating RNA and protein from human tissues preferably epithelial and skin tissues.
- Knowledge of G-protein coupled receptors, intracellular signaling, circadian rhythm, photobiology, optical physics and lab device design.
- Bio-engineering skills and experience designing new assays for co-culture system and optical physics for novel in-vivo human studies using spectroscopy and/or in-vivo confocal microscopy.
- Bioprinting experience is a plus.
- Productive and prolific publication(s).
