Career Development

Faculty Position in Epigenetics

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology

The Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of
Pennsylvania School of Medicine seeks candidates for several Assistant
or Associate Professor positions in the tenure track. Rank will be
commensurate with experience. The successful applicant will have
experience in the field of chromatin biology with a focus on
epigenetics. Responsibilities include research addressing outstanding
questions in chromatin biology and epigenetics, using genomic,
genetic, structural, biochemical or systems approaches. It is
anticipated that successful candidates will develop independent,
interactive research groups and excel in interdisciplinary training.
Applicants must have an M.D. or Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. degree and have
demonstrated excellent qualifications in Research.

The Penn Epigenetics Program encompasses a broad range of research
groups at the University of Pennsylvania and within the Philadelphia
region. State-of-the-art laboratory space, including shared
computational and experimental core facilities, will be available in the
Fisher Translational Research Building, to be completed in the fall of
2010.

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity, affirmative
action employer. Women and minority candidates are strongly
encouraged to apply.

Apply for this position online at:
http://www.med.upenn.edu/apps/faculty_ad/index.php/g305/d2104

 

Scientist / Senior Scientist - Muscle Electrophysiologist

ARMGO Pharma, Inc.

We are seeking a talented Scientist to participate in a premier research program in ryanodine receptor (RyR) biology that supports development of novel therapeutics in multiple areas including cardiovascular disease and muscle fatigue based on targeting RyR channels.

The candidate will develop, execute and analyze in vitro electrophysiologic assays performed on isolated cardiac and skeletal muscle myocytes to assess efficacy of new RyR-based therapeutic compounds in animal models of heart failure and muscle pathology. This individual preferably should have knowledge of cardiovascular and/or muscle physiology, ion channels, and Ca2+ handling. The candidate should have experience in assessing muscle function, membrane depolarization and intracellular calcium flux by means of a variety of techniques, including programmed electric field stimulation and fluorescent dye-based calcium measurements. Using these live cell-based assays, the candidate will drive project chemistry, pursue the identification of lead compounds in low/medium-throughput approaches, characterize lead compounds in potency, selectivity and functional assays and assess their mechanism of action. 

Good communication and interpersonal skills, excellent quantitative analytical skills, strong self-motivation, and an ability to work independently, as well as part of a team, are required. The candidate will have primary responsibility for research projects or work closely with senior scientists.

Education Requirements: BS, MS, MD, or Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry or a related field in the biomedical sciences, with 1-3years of postgraduate research experience. Pharma or biotech experience is not essential but would be desirable.

Experience: Extensive experience in muscle biology and muscle pathology is highly desirable.

Kat Larson

Vice President, Human Resources

Senior Director, Finance

ARMGO Pharma, Inc.

3960 Broadway

New York, NY 10032

P (212) 342-7004

F (212) 923-0316

M (914) 489-6070

www.armgo.com

klarson@armgo.com

 

Health Scientist Administrator

National Health of Institute- Vaccine Discovery Branch

This position is located in the Vaccine Discovery Branch (VDB), Vaccine Research Program (VRP), Division of AIDS (DAIDS). The incumbent serves as a Health Scientist Administrator (Branch Chief) with responsibility for providing scientific leadership and direction for the planning, implementation, management and evaluation of a broad, coordinated national/international extramural program that deals with critical biomedical research issues in support of basic HIV vaccine discovery research.  The Branch Chief has broad administrative, scientific, technical, and budgetary responsibilities for the continual oversight monitoring and management of the research contracts, grants and/or cooperative agreements within the Branch. The incumbent represents the Program/Division at national/international scientific meetings/conferences, national meetings of professional societies and organizations, and at meetings with academic, research and other institutions. The Branch Chief also provides technical guidance/leadership and administrative supervision and direction to professional and support staff to achieve objectives of VDB, VRP and DAIDS.  

Salary Range:  $115,317 – $149,000 USD per year

Closing Date: 12/23/08

 

To apply visit: www.USAJOBS.opm.gov

 

Medical Officer

National Health of Institute- Vaccine Discovery Branch

This position is located in the Vaccine Discovery Branch (VDB), Vaccine Research Program (VRP), Division of AIDS (DAIDS). The incumbent serves as a Medical Officer (Branch Chief) with responsibility for providing scientific leadership and direction for the planning, implementation, management and evaluation of a broad, coordinated national/international extramural program that deals with critical biomedical research issues in support of basic HIV vaccine discovery research. The Branch Chief has broad administrative, scientific, technical, and budgetary responsibilities for the continual oversight monitoring and management of the research contracts, grants and/or cooperative agreements within the Branch. The incumbent represents the Program/Division at national/international scientific meetings/conferences, national meetings of professional societies and organizations, and at meetings with academic, research and other institutions. The Branch Chief also provides technical guidance/leadership and administrative supervision and direction to professional and support staff to achieve objectives of VDB,VRP and DAIDS.

 

Salary Range:  $115,317 – $149,000 USD per year

Closing Date: 12/23/08

 

To apply visit: www.USAJOBS.opm.gov

 

A number of organizations, recognizing the importance of this relationship, have prepared reports and weighed-in on the respective roles of the adviser and the postdoc:

Enhancing the Postdoctoral Experience for Scientists and Engineers - A Guide for Postdoctoral Scholars, Advisers, Institutions, Funding Organizations, and Disciplinary Societies

The Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy (COSEPUP) of the National Academy of Sciences has prepared a report that addresses five primary populations, all of whom participate in the postdoctoral experience: the postdoctoral officers themselves, their advisers, their host institutions, the agencies and organizations that support them and professional disciplinary societies. It is also intended for senior-level graduate students who may be contemplating postdoctoral work. The report states that the postdoc “has a quid pro quo relationship with the research community”.

In order to enhance this relationship we are also providing, a “Roles and Responsibilities” document for both postdocs and their advisers.

According to the above study conducted by the Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy of the National Academy of Sciences (“Enhancing the Postdoctoral Experience for Scientists and Engineers”, National Academy Press, ©2000), the best time for a postdoc to evaluate a potential postdoctoral position is before signing on. It may be difficult to adjust the major conditions of an appointment once it is underway.

You may want to ask the following questions of a potential mentor/adviser:

1. What are the adviser’s expectations of the postdoc?
2. Will the adviser or the postdocs determine the research program?
3. How many postdocs has this adviser had? Where did they go afterwards?
4. What do current and past lab members think about their experience?
5. Will the adviser have time for mentoring? Or should I seek out other mentors?
6. How many others (graduate students, staff, postdocs) now work for this adviser?
7. How many papers are being published? Where?
8. What is the adviser’s policy on travel to meetings? Authorship? Ownership of ideas?
9. Will I have practice in grant writing? Teaching/mentoring? Oral presentations? Review of manuscripts?
10. Can I expect to take part of the project away after the postdoc?
11. How long is financial support guaranteed? On what does renewal depend?
12. Can I count on help in finding a position?
13. Will the adviser have adequate research funds to support the proposed research?

The Compact was drafted by the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Group on Graduate, Research, Education, and Training and its Postdoctorate Committee. Its intent is to “initiate discussions at the local and national levels about the postdoctoral appointee-mentor relationship and the commitments necessary for a high quality postdoctoral training experience.”

According to this Compact, core tenets of postdoctoral training include:

• Institutional Commitment
• Quality Postdoctoral Training
• Importance of Mentoring in Postdoctoral Training
• Foster Breadth and Flexibility in Career Choices

The Compact Between Postdoctoral Appointees and their Mentors details necessary commitments of both postdoctoral appointees and mentors.