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POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

Employer
Florida International University
Location
Miami, Florida (US)
Salary
-
Closing date
May 16, 2021

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Discipline
Life Sciences, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology
Position Type
Full Time
Job Type
Postdoc
Organization Type
Academia

Florida International University is Miami’s public research university, focused on student success. According to U.S. News and World Report, FIU has 42 top-50 rankings in the nation among public universities. FIU is a top U.S. research university (R1), with more than $200 million in annual expenditures. FIU ranks 15th in the nation among public universities for patent production, which drives innovation, and is one of the institutions that helps make Florida the top state for higher education. The Next Horizon fundraising campaign is furthering FIU’s commitment to providing students Worlds Ahead opportunities. Today, FIU has two campuses and multiple centers, and supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA, with more than 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. The university has awarded more than 330,000 degrees to many leaders in South Florida and beyond. For more information about FIU, visit www.fiu.edu.

A postdoctoral position is available for a highly motivated candidates with background in cellular and molecular biology, to investigate the function of Translocator Protein 18kDA (ESPO) in glial cells (specifically in microglia).

TSPO function in glial cellsTranslocator Protein 18kDa (TSPO), previously named peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, is a glial stress response protein that has been validated as a biomarker of brain injury and neuroinflammation and is widely used in preclinical and clinical studies. Our laboratory has a long history of studying TSPO as a biomarker and during the last few years we have concentrated our efforts in understanding the function of TSPO in glial cells, specifically in microglia. We have discovered that TSPO interacts with NADPH Oxidase-2 in microglia and are examining the molecular, cellular, and functional aspects of this interaction. This work will use TSPO-knockout mice providing the molecular specificity to study the function of TSPO in primary glial cells and in whole animals. We have a variety of behavioral, cellular, and molecular approaches that are available for these ongoing studies. This position is funded by an on-going NIH grant (ES007062-22) and the position will be for 2-3 years. See selected publications from our lab on this topic below:

Loth MK et al.: A Novel interaction of Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) with NADPH Oxidase in Microglia. Molecular Neurobiology 57: 4467-4487, 2020. 

Guilarte TR: TSPO in diverse CNS pathologies and psychiatric disease: a critical review and a way forward. Pharmacology & Therapeutics 194: 44-58, 2019. 

Coughlin JM et al: Imaging glial cell activation and white matter integrity in brains from active and recently retired National Football League players. JAMA Neurology 74: 67-74, 2017.

Guilarte TR et al: TSPO finds NOX2 in microglia for redox homeostasis. Trends Pharmacological Sciences 37: 334-343, 2016.

Requirements: PhD in Biological sciences. Strong background in cellular and molecular biology. Experience in studies using glial cells is highly desirable.

The start date of this position is expected immediately. 

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply to Job Opening ID 523366 at https://facultycareers.fiu.edu/ and attach a cover letter and curriculum vitae in individual attachments.  Candidates will be requested to provide names and contact information for at least three professional references as determined by the search committee.  To receive full consideration, applications and required materials should be received by May 7, 2021. Review will continue until position is filled.

FIU is a member of the State University System of Florida and an Equal Opportunity, Equal Access Affirmative Action Employer all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

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