2025-08-07
University of Pittsburgh
Other
/yr
employee
contract
Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania
15260
United States
Post Doctoral Associate
Med-Ophthalmology - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (25003940)
University of Pittsburgh, Department of Ophthalmology, is seeking a highly motivated full-time postdoctoral associate in Dr. Yuanyuan Chen’s laboratory.
The Chen Lab uses pharmacological and molecular biological methods to study retinal degenerative diseases and to find new treatments. Specifically, the Chen Lab is looking for small molecules that upregulate protein homeostasis and those that mitigate retina immune responses. In particular, we use small molecule high-throughput screening, retina ex vivo culture, and in vivo mouse retinal morphology and physiology techniques to identify novel small molecules that repair defective homeostasis observed in cells with mutated rhodopsin. Further, the Chen lab is developing a new drug screening platform using retinal explants to find drugs that prevent retinal degeneration. We aim to discover the most effective and potent compounds, characterize their metabolism and effects in mouse models of eye diseases, and develop an efficacious and safe treatment regimen that can be further tested in large animals and clinical trials. Dr. Chen’s lab is supported by NIH R01, Hillman Challenge Research Award, UPMC Enterprises, and the FFB TRAP Award. More information about the Chen Lab is here: https://ivy00chen.wixsite.com/chenlab.
The research to be performed is the pharmacological studies of retinal degenerative disease.
The candidate will participate in two projects as the driving force:
1) the drug screening of retinal degeneration;
2) the pharmacological studies of 8-aminopurines for their roles against aging and age-related retinal degeneration.
Additionally, the candidate is expected to participate in collaborative projects and their contributions will be recognized as a co-author. The research projects will utilize cell culture, retina explant culture and rodent models to investigate the efficacy, safety, mechanism of actions, and pharmacokinetics of drug candiates for treating retinal degeneration. The lab also investigates the disease mechanisms along the way of drug discovery and development.
o The postdoc candidate will perform research activities in a team with other lab members and collaborative teams. They will present their research at national/international conferences. They are expected to conduct research projects as a leading force, and draft their first-authored research manuscripts under supervision of the PI. They are encouraged to write applications for postdoctoral fellowships and career development grants.
o The postdoc candidate will develop leadership skills by helping the PI with lab management, training young scientists in the lab, maintaining and breeding animals, and ordering research materials.
o The postdoc candidate is expected to deliver at least one project to the extent equivalent or more than one first-authored research article, accepted in a solid journal such as FASEB J, before leaving the lab.
Ph.D in pharmacology, biochemistry or pharmacy, or MD with Ophthalmology training.
Have a minimum 1 year of experience in rodent ophthalmology techniques including OCT, ERG, and retinal histology, and hold expertise in routine tissue culture, Western blots, and qPCR skills. Alternatively, expertise in pharmacology skill sets, including treatment to rodents, pharmacokinetics using HPLC, efficacy and mechanism of action studies.
At least one first-author research article accepted by a mainstream journal.
The Department of Ophthalmology provides Biology in Vision and three other Vision and Hearing graduate certificate courses for the candidate to attend based on needs. The Chen lab supports trainees to attend national/international meetings when the candidate has sufficient data to present. The Chen lab also supports and has a successful record for trainees’ fellowship and travel award applications.
The University of Pittsburgh is committed to championing all aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within our community. This commitment is a fundamental value of the University and is crucial in helping us advance our mission, which includes attracting and retaining diverse workforces. We will continue to create and maintain an environment that allows individuals to discover, belong, contribute, and grow, while honoring the experiences, perspectives, and unique identities of all.
The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EOE, including disability/vets.
PI277127103
