The Cameron Lab in the Department of Ophthalmic Research at the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute is seeking a highly motivated, creative, and independent scientist to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern reactive astrocyte functions in the eye and optic nerve.

This fully-funded position includes the opportunity to utilize state-of-the-art multiomics approaches, rodent injury models, and human tissues to develop novel astrocyte-targeted gene therapies for glaucoma and other retinal diseases.

Candidates with a recent/expected Ph.D. should have a strong interest, background, and technical skills in several of the following: retinal and/or neurological disease, cellular and molecular biology, multiomics approaches (e.g., scRNAseq, mass spec), fluorescent microscopy, transcriptional regulation, intracellular signaling, and primary mammalian cell culture. Experience with AAV technologies and in vivo retinal disease/injury modeling is highly desired. The successful candidate will have the following responsibilities: Utilize high-throughput genomic and proteomic techniques (e.g., RNA sequencing, single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, mass spec) to identify critical genes and pathways involved in reactive astrocyte functions in the retina and optic nerve. Employ rodent ocular disease models, imaging, and behavioral assays to study the molecular, transcriptional, and functional consequences of cyclic-nucleotide signaling in reactive retinal and optic nerve astrocytes. Fluorescent and confocal microscopy of gene therapy effects in injured and diseased mouse ocular tissues. Preparation and maintenance of mouse and human primary cell cultures; purifying, characterizing and cryopreserving cells, in vitro pharmacological, expression, localization, proliferation, phosphoryaltion, and protein-protein interaction experiments.

Collaborating with team members to interpret data, generate hypotheses, and design follow-up experiments. Contributing to publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals and presenting results at conferences and seminars.

Principal Investigator: Evan G. Cameron, PhD

Lerner Research Institute Department: Ophthalmic Research

Lab Research Topics:

• Gene therapy development
• Retinal disease
• Molecular signaling
• Astrocyte-immune-neuronal interactions
• Reactive astrocytes
• For more information about the lab’s research, please contact Dr. Cameron at [email protected].

Job Responsibilities:

• Independent project design with the goal of data generation, analysis, interpretation and manuscript preparation
• Isolate, maintain, and perform pharmacological and rDNA expression/KD experiments in primary cultured astrocytes and neurons
• Fixation, dissection, sectioning, and staining of retinal and optic nerve tissues
• Fluorescent and confocal imaging, quantitation, and analysis of stained cells and retinal tissues
• Perform basic molecular biology and biochemical assays including western blots, IP, qPCR, etc.

Education:

• PhD or MD/PhD required
• MD with relevant laboratory experience may substitute for PhD

Languages:

• English Proficiency proof required for candidates arriving on J-1, J-2, or F1 + OPT visa status

Work Experience:

• Previous experience in a research or academic setting. Graduate student experience meets this requirement.
• Scientific writing experience

Additional Preferred Qualities:

• Experience with rodent animal handling and surgical practices (ocular is a plus but not required)
• Preparation of bulk and scRNAseq libraries, and/or protein samples for mass spec analysis
• Understanding or interest in astrocyte-immune, astrocyte-astrocyte,and astrocyte-neuron signaling in disease
• AAV gene therapy development experience or interest

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform work in a stationary position for extended periods
• Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment
• Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information
• Ability to distinguish color
• Manual dexterity to handle specimens and repair equipment
• Ability to lift and transport equipment or specimens weighing up to 20 pounds
• May be exposed to hazardous chemicals, bio-hazards, radioactive materials, etc.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• PPE per institutional requirements; may vary by laboratory

Preferred Application Materials:

• CV
• At least 3 professional references
• Evidence of experience during graduate school (e.g. with publications and presentations) is required
• All application materials should be submitted directly via email to Dr. Cameron at [email protected].

Keywords: Postdoc, Research, LRI, Retinal Disease, Gene Therapy, Reactive Astrocytes, Glaucoma, Retinal Ganglion Cells, Optic Nerve, Animal Disease Modeling, Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Translational Neuroscience, Postdoc, Cleveland Clinic, Multiomics, Mass spec, RNAseq, Behavior, Pharmacology