Post Doctoral.Post Doctoral.Associate

The University of Pittsburgh is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Associate to join the laboratory of Dr. Michael Telias in the Department of Ophthalmology. The successful candidate will conduct independent and collaborative research focused on basic neurobiology, integrating in-vitro and in-vivo experimental conditions with custom-designed photonic nanoprobes and specialized optic fibers, combining different methodologies including molecular biology (cloning, gene expression), advanced imaging (confocal, two-photon), and electrophysiology (patch-clamp, multielectrode arrays).

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Hands-on Experimental Research and Technical Expertise. The Postdoctoral Associate will lead and perform complex experimental workflows across multiple research projects, including:

• Cultivating and experimenting with neuronal (SH-SY5Y, ND7/23) and non-neuronal (HEK239) cell lines, including differentiation, transfection, and downstream assays (gene and protein expression, imaging, and morphological assessment).

• Working with plasmid cloning, bacterial transformation and manipulation, DNA synthesis, AAV and lentivirus packaging and use.

• Work with mouse colonies, including genotyping and husbandry, multi-modal delivery of pharmacological agents and in-vivo gene manipulation strategies.

• Carry out systematic staining, imaging, and analysis of Golgi staining in mouse brains under several different experimental conditions.

• Perform electrophysiology and neural recordings, including system setup, MEA recordings, and data analysis.

2. Independent Research, Data Analysis, and Scientific Writing. The Postdoctoral Associate will:

• Independently design research questions and experimental strategies

• Conduct an in-depth literature review to guide hypothesis generation and experimental planning

• Lead imaging data analysis, including interpretation, visualization, and biological contextualization

• Prepare manuscripts, figures, and presentations for peer-reviewed publications and scientific meetings

• Contribute to grant writing, fellowship applications, and progress reports

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timelines, milestones are met

3. Mentorship, Teaching, and Laboratory Leadership. The Postdoctoral Associate will play a key role in training and mentoring lab members by:

• Supervising and guiding graduate students, undergraduate students, and research technicians

• Providing hands-on training and consultation in molecular biology techniques, cloning strategies, cell staining and imaging, and experimental troubleshooting

• Advising colleagues on experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation

• Supporting a collaborative and inclusive laboratory environment

• Presenting research findings at national and international conferences and workshops

Expectations and Qualifications

• PhD in Neuroscience, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field

• Strong record of independent research productivity

• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex datasets

• Experience writing and publishing peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams

• Excellent organizational, communication, and time-management skills

• Comfortable supervising and mentoring junior researchers

Opportunities Available

• Strong mentorship and career development

• Support for travel to national and international scientific conferences

• Professional development workshops

• Opportunities for first-author publications, grant writing, and fellowship applications2

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.

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