POSITION OBJECTIVE
Dr. Subauste’s laboratory focuses on cell signaling studies aimed at understanding the regulation of CD40-driven inflammatory disorders (diabetic retinopathy and inflammatory bowel disease, IBD) and the mechanisms activated by an intracellular pathogen (Toxoplasma gondii) to survive within host cells. These studies have reached a translational phase of developing novel approaches to treat inflammatory disorders and toxoplasmosis. The Senior Research Associate will oversee research projects within the lab, providing scientific oversight, guidance to lab members, and lab management in the absence of the principal investigator. The Senior Research Associate will design and plan projects, oversee collaborations, supervise staff and students, manage animal models, and fully execute research projects with the aim of furthering our understanding of how CD40 regulates pro-inflammatory signaling cascades, how intracellular signaling molecules regulate autophagic killing of T. gondii, testing the efficacy of novel CD40 inhibitors in mouse models of diabetic retinopathy and IBD as well as examining the efficacy of cell signaling inhibitors for the treatment of ocular and cerebral toxoplasmosis in mice. The Senior Research Associate will utilize real time qPCR, immunohistochemistry and immunoblot to examine the expression of pathogenic molecules in various transgenic mice developed in the lab, perform in vitro studies that include gene manipulation, confocal and live cell microscopy and assist in the in vitro screening of novel compounds in reporter cells. The Research Associate will keep the PI informed of progress of research projects and provide recommendations on experimental design and project plans. The Senior Research Associate will also present data and findings at lab and scientific meetings, seminars, etc., prepare manuscripts, and contribute preliminary data for grant proposals.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provide scientific oversight of all research projects, including data collection and maintenance. Establish and manage the day-to-day priorities of the research staff (15%).
With the principal investigator, establish goals and objectives for the efficient and timely completion of projects. Meet regularly with the principal investigator to review and set priorities, staff/student-related issues, and future research staff and planning (10%).
Coordinate experiments performed by other lab members, ensuring adequate resources, assisting with experimental design and analysis. Oversee progress of the research projects and provide regular progress reports to the PI; and provide input and recommendation to principal investigator regarding significant developments in research projects. Ensure the PI is informed about the results of lab members and ensure the PI’s experimental strategy is explored by lab members and through independent experiments by the Senior Research Associate (10%).
Independently and with the principal investigator, design, plan, and execute research projects that explore the effects of genetic and pharmacologic manipulation of cell signaling pathways on the expression and localization of various intracellular proteins in animal models of diabetic retinopathy and IBD. The work can also include examination of vesicular trafficking, regulation of survival of intracellular pathogens and studies in mouse models of toxoplasmosis. The work includes performing immunoblots, transfections, confocal microscopy flow cytometry, ELISA, PCR, handling of mice and collection of mouse organs and isolation of primary cells. Maintain accurate records of data and provide findings and recommendations to the PI based on analysis (20%).
Develop new techniques and protocols to advance research projects within the lab. Train lab members on new techniques (10%).
Mentor and train lab staff and graduate students; oversee research work and ensure projects are being completed according to the research plan. This will involve teaching other members of the lab techniques and scientific discovery methods, including students and post-docs. Assist and teach both established and new research techniques to other lab members to facilitate their experiments. Coordinate trainings for lab members with the EHS and others, as needed. Supervise research assistants and technicians. Supervise the research and technical work performed by other lab members, ensuring proper lab procedures are followed, and their safety, and ensuring adequate resources are provided for lab work (10%).
Present data and findings at laboratory meetings and scientific meetings, seminars, etc. Prepare manuscripts and contribute preliminary data for grant proposals (5%).
Independently author research projects. Assemble data and make publication-quality figures from analyzed data. With the highest level of integrity and responsible conduct of research, participate in writing manuscripts as a first author and co-author for discoveries from research performed in the lab, together with the PI and other lab members (15%).
Assess, update, and develop new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the lab (5%).
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Perform other duties as assigned.
CONTACTS
Department: Frequent contact with PI and lab members, may work with other faculty for collaboration of research projects, contact with administrative staff as needed
University: Regular/Occasional contact with other labs for collaboration, Regular/Occasional contact with the Animal Resource Center, Contact with other departments as needed
External: Supply vendors, other institutions, funding agencies, etc. as needed
Students: Undergraduate and graduate student employees working in the lab
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
Supervise laboratory staff including research assistants and technicians. May supervise Research Associates within the lab. Oversee all lab members including postdoctoral fellows, graduate, and undergraduate students.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Minimum of 5 years of related postdoctoral experience required. Experience in cell biology, immunology or microbiology are required.
Education/Licensing: PhD, or MD is required.
REQUIRED SKILLS
Expertise in tissue culture, flow cytometry, ELISA, PCR, immunoblot, confocal microscopy, handling of mice and collection of mouse organs.
Excellent analytical skills; ability to formulate findings and recommendations from the analysis.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills; must demonstrate the ability to effectively and professionally communicate and work with various individuals within and external to the University.
Strong organization skills; ability to multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines. Must demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, time management skills, and follow-through. Must be able to work under pressure and conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timeline.
Effective leadership skills; ability to lead, train, work with, and elicit cooperation from team members and staff.
Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a team. Must be highly motivated, responsible, dependable, and a self-starter.
Effective problem-solving skills; must demonstrate innovation and creativity, sound judgment, and good decision-making.
Good computer skills, including database management. Ability to learn new programs as needed.
Must demonstrate compliance with CWRU animal research and care (ARC) policies and procedures and compliance to regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines and other applicable regulatory guidelines.
Must demonstrate compassion for animals within CWRU facilities and dedication to the Animal Resource Center’s mission. Must handle animals with care and respect at all times.
Must be able and willing to maintain a high standard of personal cleanliness and utilize protective gear to protect the health the animals.
WORKING CONDITIONS
General laboratory environment: The lab is an open floor plan with abundant bench space for animal handling and manipulations. Ample desk space with computers is also provided. The lab is equipped with two fume hoods for storage of hazardous and non-hazardous materials as well as several freezers. The cell culture room is equipped with 3 incubators, 2 culture hoods, and microscopes. Access to a multi-color Flow Cytometer, ELISA reader and real time PCR machine in a neighboring lab. The candidate should expect frequent interactions with lab members from that lab and must be willing to collaborate. Major physical demands may include transferring animals between the lab and the animal holding facility, maintaining the animal colonies, as well as changes of mouse cages. The individual will be exposed and use to routine laboratory chemicals and solvents, paraformaldehyde for tissue processing and streptozotocin (to induce diabetes in mice). This position requires handling of animal and tissues from animals and humans following Biosafety Level II practices.
Case's animal facilities are accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) and is managed according to the "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” appropriate Federal Animal Welfare Regulations, and the Public Health Service “Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals." This position, and all animal research personnel, are subject to internal compliance to SOM Animal Resource Center Standard Operating Procedures and to compliance regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines.
Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement:
Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity by phone at 216.368.3066 or by email at equity@case.edu Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.
