A post-doctoral position is available in Fabeha Fazal’s lab in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Rochester, New York. Dr. Fazal’s lab is seeking enthusiastic and highly motivated applicants holding or about to obtain a Ph.D. degree. Applicants must have a strong interest in translational research. Expertise in the pathophysiology of lung inflammatory diseases will be an advantage. The selected candidate will work on the mechanisms regulating the pathogenesis of lung vascular inflammatory diseases such as Acute Lung Injury (ALI) and its more severe form Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

Qualifications:
• Ph.D. or MD/Ph.D. in a relevant field with a record of publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• A strong desire for independent research, collaboration, and curiosity.
• Ability to problem-solve and think critically.
• Ability to independently design, execute and analyze experiments.
• Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative team environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of lung physiology, gene regulation, and translational biology.
• Experience in cell culture, cellular and molecular biology techniques, transcriptional and translational analyses.

What we offer: Our research team (laboratory and staff) provides an open, supportive, dynamic, and motivating academic environment with excellent training opportunities with the possibility to work on cutting-edge and novel translational research projects. We use a broad spectrum of in vitro and in vivo techniques to dissect the pathways that are critical to endothelial cell (EC) inflammation and permeability. We use multidisciplinary approaches ranging from biochemical, cellular, and molecular biology to in vivo gene delivery and lung physiology.
University of Rochester offers an extraordinarily stimulating and nourishing academic environment with rich resources to facilitate career development for young scientists. U of R has an active Postdoc Association that provides highly enriched environment for postdocs including career development workshops and social activities. University of Rochester is the metropolitan area's oldest and most prominent institution of higher learning, and one of the country's top research centers.
Who we are:
Our lab focuses on understanding the pathogenesis of Acute Lung Injury (ALI), a common cause of respiratory failure in critically ill patients such as those with sepsis and COVID-19. ALI affects ~200,000 Americans each year and is associated with a mortality rate of ~ 25-40% in reported cases. All current therapies of ALI and ARDS rely on supportive care to improve clinical outcome and no effective drugs have been developed. This field is in a desperate need of new and effect therapy. Our lab’s primary focus is to understand the relevance of inter-organellar crosstalk in ALI. In particular, we focus on the crosstalk between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. The ER–mitochondria interface, termed mitochondria associated ER membranes (MAM), provides a platform for communication between the ER and mitochondria and play an essential role in several cellular processes such as Ca2+ dynamics, lipid synthesis and trafficking, inflammation, ER stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and mitochondrial dynamics. MAM dysfunction is correlated with the pathogenesis of metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders. Our overall goal is to identify MAM proteins that are involved in regulating endothelial dysfunction associated with ALI and to eventually evaluate their therapeutic efficacy towards ALI/ARDS.

Please send your cover letter, CV, and names of three references to Dr. Fabeha Fazal

Website is: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/pediatrics/fazal-lab.aspx