Summary

A Research Associate role is available in Dr. Yi Zhu’s lab ( https://www.bcm.edu/research/faculty-labs/yi-zhu-lab ) in the Children’s Nutrition Research Center (CNRC) at the Baylor College of Medicine. The objective of the research in Dr. Yi Zhu’s laboratory is to understand the basic biology of the adipose tissue and the liver in the effort to develop new concepts and biologics to treat diseases related to over-nutrition. Currently, our focused research areas are: 1) The gap junction-dependent and -independent functions of the Connexin43 protein in adipocyte metabolism, adipokine secretion, milk production, and the communication of adipocytes with other types of cells within the depot. We apply basic scientific discoveries to develop biologics that concurrently engage adipocyte metabolism and gap junction activity to improve the efficacy of the starting molecule. (Cell Metab. 2016, 24, 420-433, and APSB. 2022, In Press); 2) Hyaluronic acid (HA) production, hepatic clearance, and its role in modulating metabolism and liver fibrogenesis. We place a special emphasis on the effects of HA in modulating the immune function of the liver during the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and its role in intrahepatic communication among hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, and stellate cells. (Sci. Trans Med. 2016, 8, 323ps4, Matrix Biol. 2019, 78-79, 284-291, and Nat. Commun. 2021, 12 (1), 1-15.)

Job Duties

• Conducts thorough literature searches and summarizes the literature in concise reports, which shall provide a comprehensive review of the background, define problems and opportunities in the specific research field, and provide possible solutions to a problem or determine whether the research direction is not worthy to pursue and why.
• Monitors the trend of research in the specified field.
• Plans, directs, and conducts research experiments; evaluates and analyzes data, and manages online data repositories.
• Utilizes the following lab techniques: flow cytometry, super-resolution microscopy, molecular biology, cell culture.
• Handling mice.
• Helps interview and make hiring decisions for technical staff, and trains and orients less experienced research staff.
• Independently prepares and delivers presentations at local, national, and international conferences.
• Independently writes manuscripts and works on manuscript submission.
• Assists faculty on grant applications: formulating the idea, evaluating the resources, planning experiments, generating preliminary data and writing the draft.
• Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in Basic Science or a related field. Experience in lieu of degree will not be accepted.
• Three years of relevant experience typically as a Research Assistant, Research Technician or Postdoctoral Fellow/Associate.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD
• Experience with flow cytometry, super-resolution microscope (willing to train)
• Experience handling mice, molecular biology, cell culture strongly desired
  

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.