A Postdoctoral Fellow position is available immediately in the Section of Retinal Ganglion Cell Biology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), in Bethesda, Maryland to study effects of several secreted proteins including olfactomedin1-3 (also known as Noelin1-3) and brorins on the structure and function of the AMPA receptor (AMPAR) complex in the retina. Our recent results uncovered an endogenous mechanism for extracellular anchoring of AMPARs and establish Olfactomedin-organized networks as versatile determinants of constitutive and context-dependent neurotransmission in the brain. We demonstrated that Olfactomedin1-3 and their associated protein network(s) are obligatory for the context-dependent dynamics of the AMPARs that generate synaptic plasticity (long-term potentiation, LTP) and are crucial for memory formation (Boudkkaziet al., 2023 Neuron 111, 2544-2556.e9). We plan to use these brain data as a guide to study functions of AMPARs in the retina. This work will provide insight into the role of several secreted proteins and AMPA receptors in optic neuropathies with focus on glaucoma. Our projects utilize multidisciplinary approaches, including molecular biology, electrophysiology, biochemistry, cell biology, and proteomics.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. and/or M.D. degree with less than five years of postdoctoral experience. Applicants should have the ability to carry out independent research in relevant areas, a strong interest in interdisciplinary approaches and collaborative research. Hands-on training in molecular biology, electrophysiology, biochemistry or cell biology with experience in animal handling is preferred. NIH offers excellent salary and health care packages to its trainees and has consistently been ranked among the best places to work for postdoctoral fellows.

Applicants should send a brief statement of research interests, their curriculum vitae and the contact information for three or more references to: Dr. Stanislav Tomarev (tomarevs@nei.nih.gov).

NIH is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. All positions are subject to a background check. The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs.

DHHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers