Research Fellow - Pinz Lab

Research Fellow – Pinz Lab

Summary

This position is for someone interested in joining the research team within the Pinz Laboratory at the MaineHealth Institute for Research, Scarborough, ME. This Research Fellow will conduct a variety of complex laboratory procedures and will be able to conduct research under the guidance of Principal Investigator, Ilka Pinz. This Research Fellow will have a sufficient level of experience, expertise and independence to conduct a defined research project, including project inception and design, implementation, and completion; with reporting of results in a peer-reviewed forum consisting of oral and written presentation. Research in the Pinz Laboratory is focused primarily on caveolae membrane microdomains and their role in cardiovascular health. Our research uses loss-of-function mouse models and mutant caveolin protein expression to investigate the role of caveolins in cardiac contractile function, insulin sensitivity and diabetic cardiomyopathy. We collaborate with clinicians to investigate the role of caveolae in patients with cardiovascular disease. The successful applicant has knowledge of cell transfection with mutated proteins, cell culture, Western blotting, and protein extractions. Experience with mouse models is a plus, but not required. Some aspects of this work will be performed in our outstanding core facilities and the successful applicant is expected to collaborate and communicate with other team members to coordinate these efforts. Outstanding written and oral communication skills and attention to detail are expected.

MaineHealth Institute for Research (MHIR) is committed to providing postdoctoral Research Fellows a robust research training experience within an engaged and inclusive community of scientists. We support the continued research training of postdoctoral fellows who have earned a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD degrees. The goal of our program is to provide a rigorous, mentored research experience that focuses on the design, implementation, and completion of a novel research project.

Research Fellows at MHIR are compensated based on years of experience and are eligible for the generous benefits package provided to MaineHealth employees.

Research Fellows participate in a robust training program that includes a seminar series with networking with local and national speakers, and presentation of their own research progress. Responsible Conduct of Research programming is run throughout the year to ensure that Research Fellows are adequately trained. We expect our postdoctoral fellows to present research findings at annual meetings and publish in peer-reviewed journals. Research Fellows are also encouraged and supported to submit applications for fellowship support or early career grants.

MHIR has an active and engaged Student and Postdoc Association that promotes professional development and a sense of community for students and postdocs. The MHIR Research Training and Education Office supports research trainees in all aspects of their training throughout their time at MHIR, including facilitation of Individual Development Plans, and annual reviews and meetings with MHIR scientific leadership. MHIR is a sustaining member of the National Postdoc Association, providing all of our students and Research Fellows the opportunity to have a free Affiliate Membership, and Research Training and Education Office Staff are members of the Graduate Career Consortium and the American Association of Medical Colleges Group on Research Education and Training (GREAT Group), connecting us with the larger national conversations about student and postdoctoral affairs.

Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

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