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Postdoc Position Description

Dr. Andrea Nackley’s laboratory in the Department of Anesthesiology at Duke University integrates molecular genetics, behavioral pharmacology, and clinical epidemiologic measures to understand neurobiological processes underlying chronic pain as well as to identify unique biomarkers for the diagnosis and management of clinical pain conditions. A position is now open for a postdoctoral fellow to lead and execute major projects related to peripheral adrenergic mechanisms that drive chronic pain, inflammation, and neuroinflammation. Extensive knowledge in neuroscience, molecular biology, immunology, or related fields is required. Experience with rodent pain models is required and experience in microscopy, electrophysiology, calcium imaging, flow cytometry, and/or molecular genetics is strongly preferred.Applicants must be highly motivated, organized, dependable, and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.

This position is within a stimulating and dynamic group that interfaces with other basic science labs and clinical programs in the Department of Anesthesiology at Duke University to provide a rich experience in the context of translational pain research. 

Principal Responsibilities:

• The candidate will work under the guidance of the Principal Investigator (PI) and the Vice Chair of Research to assist in the development and implementation of research protocols. 

• The candidate will be expected to be highly mentally engaged in their project, and should possess the ability to design, conduct, and troubleshoot experiments independently with minimal input from the PI. Candidateare expected to have a significant hand in the overall scope and execution of their scientific project.

• Candidate will work with the mentoring team on developing a career development plan and with the mentor guidance strive to develop own creative ideas to apply for grants and pursue extra-mural funding. Candidate is expected to accomplish career development or independent funding within 2 years of starting the position.

• Candidate will report on the progress made on their research projects at least quarterly, including progress made on preparing grant applications, and on research productivity. 

• Candidate should be willing to learn a variety of techniques involving animal (primarily mouse) models, including:familiarity with molecular genetic techniques; surgical and non-surgical methods to establish mouse models of pain and inflammation; behavioral assessments of sensory, motor, and cognitive function; targeted drug delivery and pharmacologic manipulations; and procurement of tissues for downstream cell culture, histology, RNA-sequencing, and other biochemical/molecular experiments. 

• Candidate should also be willing to conduct experiments using human-derived biofluids and tissues, and complete relevant biosafety and IRB training when requested. 

• Attendance and active participation to lab meetings, project meetings, relevant collaborative meetings, and Center/Departmental research seminars/events is also expected. 

• Applicants will be expected to maintain high-fidelity records and documentation of all research and professional activities and conduct themselves with high moral and ethical principles, congruent with policies outlined by the Duke Office of Scientific Integrity. Due to the collaborative nature of our work, applicants must be comfortable working with multidisciplinary research teams, and should be highly organized, collegial, and conduct themselves in a highly professional manner. 

• The applicant will be expected to have strong verbal and written communication skills which are suitable to achieve their project responsibilities. Prior experience with scientific writing, including both grant and manuscript writing, is highly preferred.

Min Degree Requirements: 

 Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g.Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M.)

Other Credential/Experiential Requirements:  The incumbent must be a true post-doctoral fellow registered with the Post Doc Office and per the following requirements:

• The term of this appointment is limited (5 years with a possible extension for an additional year)

• The appointment involves substantially full-time research or scholarship, which may include teaching responsibilities.

• The appointment is viewed as preparatory for a full time academic or research career.

• The appointment is not part of a clinical research training program, unless research training under the supervision of a senior mentor is a primary purpose of the appointment.

• The appointee works under the supervision of a scholar or a department at Duke University.

• The appointee has the freedom, and is expected to publish the results of his or her research or scholarship during the period of the appointment.

Minimum Qualifications
Education

See job description for education requirements.

Experience

See job description for requirements.

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