Postdoctoral Scientist - Gene Therapy/Neuroscience/Neuromuscular

Full Job Description

EMPLOYER: Laboratory of Dr. Paul Martin, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH).

LOCATION: Columbus, Ohio, USA

POSITION TYPE : Full-time

PREFERRED START DATE: April 2024

DISCIPLINE: Gene Therapy

ORGANIZATION TYPE: Non-profit

RESEARCH DESCRIPTION : Our group is focused on developing novel gene therapy treatments for neuromuscular disorders and lysosomal storage disorders. We have recently developed and tested a novel gene therapy in patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and are currently developing treatments for Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type R9, GNE myopathy, and Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency. This research involves basic and proof of concept studies in animal models for these diseases, as well as safety studies, with the goal of developing IND approvals for the testing of therapies in clinical trials. We collaborate with a team of other laboratories in Center for Gene Therapy and at Ohio State University to accomplish these goals.

The successful candidate will have an excellent foundation in molecular and cellular biology and also in molecular and cellular pathology. We are particularly interested in candidates who also have experience analyzing animal models of disease and who understand the concepts relevant to design of disease therapies for muscle, liver, and/or brain disorders. As our lab focuses on diseases and therapies involving glycosylation, experience in glycobiology would be a major plus. Expertise in skeletal muscle or cardiac physiology, or AAV biology, would also be a major plus. To apply, please submit curriculum vitae, a cover letter indicating areas of expertise and a detailed statement of research interests and scientific accomplishments, and a list of 3 references.

The selected candidate will be professional, self-motivated, and dedicated, with strong communication and interpersonal skills that will fit with our highly collaborative team. You will have many opportunities to learn new skill sets, present your work, develop professionally, and contribute to identifying new therapies for children with genetic disorders.

**This position offers candidates to be involved in basic research and translation to the clinic**

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Applicants must have an MD, Ph.D., or MD/PhD in a field of Biomedical or Life Sciences.
• Previous experience in a wet lab including work with cell cultures and animal models is required.

COMPETENCIES, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Candidates should be capable of designing and carrying out high-level, complex research experiments independently.
• Expertise in lab techniques including, but not limited to, immunofluorescence, western blotting, ELISA, qPCR, qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, protein biochemistry, glycobiology, etc.
• Applicants with a good track record of publication are desirable, along with effective communication skills and scientific writing skills.
• Ability to train and mentor laboratory staff and graduate students.
• Writing and publishing scientific material, including manuscripts.
• Presenting research at regional, national, and international conferences.
• Contributing to grant submissions for external funding.

We can offer potential candidates:

• Up to 5 years of salary support, to be renewed annually based on productivity
• Strong mentorship to support career development toward academia or industry jobs
• State-of-the-art laboratories and core facilities
• Possible affiliation with The Ohio State University College of Medicine
• Collaborative initiatives with clinical faculty