Postdoctoral Research Associate – Skala Lab

The Organization

As an independent research organization, the Morgridge Institute for Research explores uncharted scientific territory to discover tomorrow’s cures. In affiliation with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, we support researchers who take a fearless approach to advancing human health in emerging fields such as virology, advanced multi-scale fluorescence and electron microscopy, metabolism and regenerative biology. Through public programming, we work to inspire scientific curiosity in everyday life.

The Opportunity:

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate role at the Morgridge Institute for Research in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin, Madison in the Skala Lab. The objective of this research is to develop and apply optical microscopy and analysis techniques to quantitatively monitor metabolic and structural changes in cancer, stem, and immune cells. Measurements will be made in mouse models of cancer in vivo, patient immune cells, and patient tumors maintained in 3D cultures (“organoids”). The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work with multiphoton and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy in collaboration with engineers, clinicians, and biologists. The applicant will have access to state-of-the-art resources in biomedical photonics, and opportunities to develop other photonics techniques including high-throughput microscopy and flow cytometry. This position will also provide a unique opportunity to gain experience in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Duties Include:

• Perform imaging experiments and quantitative image analysis.
• Maintain cell and organoid cultures.
• Conduct animal procedures.
• Maintain the cell culture lab, lab equipment, and organize lab inventory.
• Keep up to date with training per safety and protocol requirements.
• Clearly communicate research progress results to project stakeholders
• Prepare weekly overviews of work completed and planned. Give updates, including outlining progress and setbacks, and solicit feedback in regular meetings.
• Conduct data analysis and prepare data for presentation and submission in peer-reviewed journals and at professional meetings
• Contribute ideas and feedback to other researcher’s projects in regular meetings.
• Assist or lead other projects within the laboratory as appropriate.
• Form and contribute to collaborations with other labs. Maintain relationships with collaborators and hold oneself to professional standards.
• Other miscellaneous duties as required

Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations will be considered and may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary responsibilities.

Education and Experience

• Ph.D. degree in an appropriate field of engineering, the physical sciences, or biology (with quantitative expertise).
• Previous experience in fluorescence microscopy and/or cell culture or small animal studies is particularly helpful.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Experience in programming, e.g. MatLab, Python, R, micromanager, C, C++, Labview.
• Experience in cell culture.
• Strong background in biology and engineering.
• Ability to perform reproducible quantitative imaging experiments.
• Working knowledge of quantitative analysis.
• Ability to leverage previous experiences to learn and develop new skills.
• Ability to take initiative and independently evaluate project options.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments concurrently while working independently and effectively under deadlines.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a dynamic research team.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail.

In order to ensure the safety of our workplace, proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required unless an exemption is granted for medical, disability or religious reasons.