Postdoctoral Research Associate - Pharmacology

The Department of Pharmacology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate mechanisms of chronic pain in female pain conditions, including pelvic pain, endometriosis, and migraine headache. The position is based in a highly collaborative pain-research group affiliated with the Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction.

The project will use established rodent models of endometriosis together with complementary in vitro approaches in primary cultures of mouse and human dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons to define how sensory neurons are sensitized by hormones and inflammatory mediators to drive pelvic pain. Emphasis will be placed on cell membrane receptor and ion-channel mechanisms that regulate nociceptor excitability. Candidates with prior experience in endometriosis and/or cancer pain-related rodent models, including chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and tumor/xenograft pain models, are encouraged to apply.

Work will include behavioral pharmacology, tissue and cellular assays, and mechanistic studies to identify new therapeutic targets. This position is an excellent match for a recently trained pharmacologist with a strong foundation in rodent pain models, primary neuronal culture, and translational pain pharmacology who wants to apply those skills to understanding the mechanisms of women's pain conditions.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state retirement plan; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties
and responsibilities:

• Design and execute
  experiments in rodent models of endometriosis-related pain and perform
  behavioral assessments of mechanical and spontaneous pain (von Frey,
  weight-bearing, grimace scale, open field, conditioned place preference,
  and related assays).
• Conduct rodent surgeries,
  targeted viral vector injections and drug injections (i.p., s.c., i.pl.,
  and related routes). Perform
  animal perfusions and tissue collection.
• Prepare primary mouse DRG
  cell cultures and co-cultures with endometriotic tissue fragments and
  perform a variety of in vitro assays including ELISA and
  histological, immunohistochemical, and imaging methods.
• Help maintain genetically
  modified mouse lines.
• Analyze data (GraphPad
  Prism; basic R), prepare figures, write manuscripts, and present at
  national/international meetings.

• Mentor undergraduate and
  master's-level trainees and contribute to a collaborative lab
  environment.
• Participate in grant
  writing and laboratory operations as appropriate.

Knowledge,
Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to communicate fluently in English through clear, effective written communication and professional presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary environment.

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology or a
  closely related discipline (Neuroscience, Molecular/Cellular Biology) by
  the start date.
• Certification or documented
  training in rodent surgery and animal experimentation.
• Demonstrated expertise in
  preclinical pain research using rodent models (inflammatory,
  neuropathic, joint, and/or chemotherapy-induced models).
• Proficiency in standard
  behavioral pain assays and common injection/perfusion techniques.
• Hands-on experience with
  primary DRG neuron culture and/or isolation of primary uterine cells.
• Strong publication record
  in peer-reviewed journals and evidence of independent experimental
  design.

• Experience with endometriosis or other chronic inflammatory pain models (MIA, CFA) and with ion-channel or GPCR pharmacology.
• Familiarity with stereotaxic viral vector injections, immunohistochemistry/histology (cryostat/microtome), and image analysis (ImageJ).
• Experience with maintenance of genetically modified lines.
• Prior mentoring of short-term interns and/or teaching experience.
• Oral and poster presentations at national or international pain/pharmacology meetings.
• Interest in sex-specific and hormonally modulated pain mechanisms relevant to endometriosis.

Edita Navratilova

edita@arizona.edu

Application: The online application should be completed in its entirety. Blank or missing information may be considered an incomplete submission.

Cover Letter: Should clearly indicate how your skills and professional employment experience meet the Minimum and the Preferred qualifications (if applicable).