Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Division of Translational Toxicology (DTT)
Mechanistic Toxicology Branch
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
Job Description
Modeling the initiation, progression, and reversibility of substance-induced liver fibrosis with human liver microtissues and address interindividual susceptibility to hepatotoxicity.
Position Description
A postdoctoral fellowship to develop, qualify and apply microphysiological systems (MPS) of human liver that emulate toxicity-induced liver fibrosis and states of interindividual susceptibility (e.g., male/female, age, pre-existing disease) is immediately available within the Division of Translational Toxicology (DTT) at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Our research team is pioneering the integration of physiologically-relevant in vitro models with interpretable assay platforms to develop and qualify new approach methods (NAMs) for translational toxicology research. The primary focus explores MPS of human liver and kidney that emulate aspects of tissue physiology and pathophysiology in response to drug and environmental chemical exposures. An emerging focus works to understand the progressions of biological response from molecular initiating events to pathologically-recognizable toxicologic phenotypes (e.g., steatosis, fibrosis). This postdoctoral recruitment seeks to expand innovative research using in vitro and computational approaches to reveal the nature of chemical-induced hepatocellular effects that lead to fibrosis while more clearly defining the exposure ranges of toxicological concern for the broader range of interindividual variation and states of susceptibility (e.g., sex, age, pre-existing disease).
Our multidisciplinary program utilizes a wide variety of research tools (e.g., cell biology, computational biology, in vitro ADME, transcriptomics, cell-based assays, and cellular imaging) and offers extensive opportunities to train and learn new skills. NIEHS postdoctoral fellows are provided with a rich and scientifically diverse training environment. Successful candidates will undertake multiple projects that develop and apply in vitro cell culture models, high content imaging, cell-based assays, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and computational approaches to advance the field of predictive toxicology research.
Qualifications
Candidates should have demonstrated expertise in relevant areas of cell biology, cellular pathology, toxicology, or related biological sciences having obtained a Ph.D. or equivalent degree within the last 5 years. Extensive experience in mammalian cell culture and/or cellular pathology is required. Experience with in vitro models of human liver, kidney, or other tissues, high content imaging, ‘omics data analysis, 96- and 384-well chemical screening platforms, microphysiological systems, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and diagnostic assay systems are highly desirable. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work on multiple projects are essential.
Location
NIEHS main campus is located in the Research Triangle Park (RTP) in North Carolina, U.S.A. The RTP is the largest research park in U.S.A., located between Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, and is ~15-minute drive from Duke University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University.
How to Apply
Please send CV and the names of three references via email to:
Stephen S. Ferguson, Ph.D. ([email protected])
Mechanistic Toxicology Branch
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
National Institutes of Health
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Selection for this position will be based solely on merit, with no discrimination for non-merit reasons such as race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, age, or membership or non-membership in an employee organization. The NIH encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.
DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR BIRTHDATE OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN) ON APPLICATION MATERIALS.
DHHS, NIH, AND NIEHS ARE EQUAL OPPORUNITY EMPLOYERS.
NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community through its training and employment programs.