Post Doc Position

The Center for Blood Oxygen Transport and Hemostasis has 3 open positions for post-docs. Please see job descriptions below for more details. When responding to the recruiter please indicate the PI Lab in the subject line. Applications received without this information will not be considered.

SiRD PostDoc Position

Job Summary:

A postdoctoral position is available to work in the laboratory of the Director at the Center for Blood Oxygen Transport and Hemostasis (CBOTH) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB).  Dr. Allan Doctor is seeking a highly motivated, dedicated, and enthusiastic young scientist, with primary interest in oxygen transport and vasoregulatory controls, with specific attention to red blood cell signaling and physiology. An opening exists to study acquisition of abnormal red blood cell phenotype, resulting from sepsis and other systemic disease and the impact of this abnormal phenotype upon oxygen transport and vasoregulation.

In sepsis, a number of red blood cell defects have been individually described: altered oxygen affinity, inferior membrane deformability, RBC aggregation and adhesion, as well as dysregulated RBC-based nitric oxide processing. The Doctor Lab suggests that these defects comprise a unique class of organ failure, which we term SiRD (Sepsis-Induced Red Cell Dysfunction; SiRD), that disables transport of oxygen from lungs to tissue. As such, SiRD limits vital organ respiration, even when supply (RBC oxygen content and cardiac output) is sufficient.

This project will provide access to both human specimens and state-of-the-art animal model systems, with focus upon high resolution mapping/analysis of cardiovascular systems, blood flow and oxygen transport at the organism, organ system, microcirculatory and cellular level. A specimen bank of cryopreserved human blood samples, from a well-characterized cohort with severe sepsis, will allow elucidation of the role of SiRD in sepsis phenotype and multiple organ failure progression. In addition, the postdoctoral fellow will continue characterization of SiRD in a murine model of sepsis (cecal ligation puncture), providing a new platform to test novel mechanism-based therapeutic approaches for a range of heretofore resistant pathologies.

The position will be integrated into comprehensive scientific training environment at the newly formed UMB Research Center – with immersive interaction involving multiple research teams focused upon Oxygen Transport and Hemostasis.

Essential functions:

• Perform/optimize advanced laboratory research analysis of RBCs (oxygen dissociation curves, deformability, adhesion, aggregation, metabolomic profiling, RBC membrane proteomics, bioassays of vascular reactivity, flow cytometry, ELISAs) and measurement of tissue oxygenation (phosphorescence quenching, animal imaging - bioluminescence). Perform/optimize advanced analytical chemistry assays to quantify RBC-based control of vasoactive effectors in plasma (Nitric Oxide metabolites, Adenosine/ATP metabolites, and etc.). Perform advanced laboratory animal research activities, such as animal surgery (i.e., cecal ligation puncture; CLP), animal imaging, exchange blood transfusions, collection of organs and tissues.   Compile and analyze research data using various relevant computer software applications (Graphpad Prism, Excel, Gen5, Clarity, Unicorn, LabChart) Perform in-depth literature research, prepare high impact peer-reviewed manuscripts, and contribute to grant proposals. Present findings at scientific meetings Perform administrative duties such as training, mentoring and guiding students and/or other laboratory staff; assist in developing policies, procedures, protocols and/or methods for laboratory experimentation Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum qualifications:

• PhD. In Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Physiology or a related field Be able to work independently in a fast-paced dynamic research environment Have very strong oral and written communication skills Work well in a team environment and in a collaborative setting

Preferred qualifications:

Experience in related laboratory work.

To apply, candidates should send (1) a cover letter (describing their experience, goals, and reasons for interest in this position), (2) curriculum vitae, and (3) the contact information of three references as a single combined PDF to:

[email protected].

Subject Line: Dr. Doctor

_____________________________________________

RBC Storage PostDoc Position

Job Summary:

A postdoctoral position is available to work in the laboratory of the Director at the Center for Blood Oxygen Transport and Hemostasis (CBOTH) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB).  Dr. Allan Doctor is seeking a highly motivated, dedicated, and enthusiastic young scientist, with primary interest in oxygen transport and vasoregulatory controls, with particular focus on red blood cell signaling and physiology. An opening exists to study acquisition of abnormal red blood cell phenotype resulting from RBC storage, and the impact of this abnormal phenotype upon oxygen transport and vasoregulation.

During storage, RBCs undergo significant biochemical/morphologic changes, resulting in a phenotype referred to as the “storage lesion”. The Doctor Lab hypothesize that this phenotype may arise from disruption of oxygen-based regulation of RBC energy metabolism, with resultant depowering of intrinsic antioxidant systems and functionally significant modification to cytosolic, skeletal and membrane proteins. Such protein damage likely impairs donor RBC oxygen transport efficacy, vasoregulatory control, and reduces the lifespan of the stored RBCs following transfusion.

This project will provide access to both human specimens and state-of-the-art animal model systems, with focus upon high resolution mapping/analysis of RBC energy metabolism and oxygen transport at the organism, organ system, microcirculatory and cellular level. Additional murine model systems are hoped to be developed, including a nude mouse model to allow in vivo efficacy testing of human RBCs, and a GFP mouse model to allow label free assessment of RBC lifespan and clearance. Ultimetely, it is hoped that this work will inform new strategies to mitigate the storage lesion and extend RBC shelf life.

The position will be integrated into comprehensive scientific training environment at the newly formed UMB Research Center – with immersive interaction involving multiple research teams focused upon Oxygen Transport and Hemostasis.

Essential functions:

• Perform/optimize advanced laboratory research analysis of RBCs (metbolomic profiling, RBC membrane proteomics, flow cytometry, oxygen dissociation curves, deformability, adhesion, aggregation, bioassays of vascular reactivity, ELISAs) and measurement of tissue oxygenation (phosphorescence quenching, animal imaging - bioluminescence). Perform/optimize advanced analytical chemistry assays to quantify RBC-based control of vasoactive effectors in plasma (Nitric Oxide metabolites, Adenosine/ATP metabolites, and etc.). Perform advanced laboratory animal research activities, such as exchange blood transfusions, serial blood draws, animal imaging.   Compile and analyze research data using various relevant computer software applications (Graphpad Prism, Excel, Gen5, Clarity, Unicorn, LabChart) Perform in-depth literature research, prepare high impact peer-reviewed manuscripts, and contribute to grant proposals. Present findings at scientific meetings Perform administrative duties such as training, mentoring and guiding students and/or other laboratory staff; assist in developing policies, procedures, protocols and/or methods for laboratory experimentation Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum qualifications:

• PhD. In Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Physiology or a related field Be able to work independently in a fast-paced dynamic research environment Have very strong oral and written communication skills Work well in a team environment and in a collaborative setting.

Preferred qualifications:

Experience in related laboratory work.

To apply, candidates should send (1) a cover letter (describing their experience, goals, and reasons for interest in this position), (2) curriculum vitae, and (3) the contact information of three references as a single combined PDF to:

[email protected]

Subject Line: Dr. Doctor

_____________________________________________

Post-doctoral position-CBOTH-Buehler laboratory

The University of Maryland Baltimore, School of Medicine’s, interdisciplinary Center for Blood Oxygen Transport & Hemostasis includes a team of physicians, biochemists, and engineers and will help answer fundamental, challenging questions related to blood function in health and disease.

This fellowship is funded by an NIH post-doctoral training grant and will focus on mechanisms that drive sickle cell disease (SCD) pulmonary hypertension (PH).  Accumulation of pulmonary vascular macrophage iron is a new and unique finding observed in SCD, suggesting that erythrophagocytosis mediated iron overload is a pathological driver of progressive pulmonary vascular disease. This is in striking contrast to idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (iPAH), which is exacerbated by iron depletion states and may be improved in some cases by iron administration.  The study of macrophage processing of sickled red blood cells, macrophage migration to the pulmonary vasculature and iron driven pulmonary vascular remodeling will be the primary focus of this post-doctoral fellowship. Secondarily, mechanisms such as inflammation and complement activation will also be studied as processes that exacerbate PH. Both murine models and patient samples will be studies to define proof-of-concept for experimental therapeutics that slow the progression of pulmonary vascular complications in SCD. 

The fellow will assist in research studies to advance knowledge in a training-based setting under the direction of Dr. Paul Buehler, a federally funded pharmacologist and toxicologist with specialization in hematotoxicology. The position requires an ability to carry out general laboratory techniques (e.g., spectrophotometry, ELISAs, Western blotting, flow cytometry, histopathology, and microscopy). Evaluation of RBC deformability, oxygen equilibrium, preparation for microscopy (light and EM), capability to assess RBC morphological changes consistent with disease states will be taught. Further, a knowledge and/or desire to expand expertise in techniques that evaluate tissue oxygenation and perfusion (e.g., MRI, EPR, PET, Phosphorescence Quenching, Laser Doppler Flowmetry) is critical to this position’s goals.

Minimum Education: Recent graduate applicants with a PhD or applicants that are expected to graduate from a Bioengineering, Physiology, or related discipline PhD program and are required to be a green card holder or US citizen. The candidate will be expected to possess strong communication and independent writing skills.

Interested candidates should email their CV and Research Statement to:

[email protected]

Subject Line: Dr. Buehler

Salary – In accordance with NIH guidelines (NIH 0–3-year experience level)