Postdoctoral Fellow Position
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, US
Posted:
12 July 2021
Are you interested in research that is directly influenced by clinically important questions?
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common dose-limiting side effect of cancer treatment drugs that often presents as debilitating pain; we want to discover new cancer pain therapies using clinically-informed basic science approaches.
A postdoctoral position is available from October 1, 2021, in the Sivanesan Neuromodulation Laboratory (SNL) / Translational Pain Research Program in the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Dr. Eellan Sivanesan’s lab is embedded in a rich and dynamic scientific “village” encompassing related groups with expertise in somatosensory neuroscience, neuropharmacology, electrophysiology, cancer biology and the tumor microenvironment, and spinal cord stimulation stimulation. The lab is focused on developing new technology to treat cancer pain, cancer-related pain (e.g. chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy), and other chronic pain disorders, and uncovering the neural mechanisms underlying the somatosensory, affective, and cognitive aspects of pain. The position will provide rigorous exposure and mentorship in interdisciplinary pain neuroscience research between the departments of anesthesiology, oncology, and neurological surgery with guidance towards a future career in academia or industry.
Job description:
We are seeking an ambitious and motivated postdoctoral candidate who is interested in research into cellular and molecular aspects of sensory physiology and pain. We investigate cancer-related pain conditions (particularly chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy), cancer biology (particularly tumor environment), neuroimmunology, and electrical neuromodulation, and their functions in sensory transduction, conduction, and transmission under both physiological and pathological conditions. We employ multi-disciplinary approaches including immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, molecular biology, light and confocal microscopy, electrophysiology, neuropharmacology, histology, calcium imaging, RNA sequencing, and animal behavioral assessment to conduct pain research. To translate our rodent discoveries, we partner with neurological surgeons, pain medicine physicians / anesthesiologists (invasive neuromodulation experts), and prominent basic scientists to study human neural tissue and human approved neuromodulation devices from patients living with chronic pain.
We bring together investigators from Departments across Johns Hopkins to collaboratively tackle basic science, translational, and clinical research problems relevant to pain, and operate within a broader multidisciplinary pain research community that includes weekly pain-focused journal clubs, weekly pain seminars, and funding programs to foster the career development of trainees and junior faculty in the pain field. We also benefit greatly from a strong scientific, translational, and clinical research environment at Johns Hopkins that spans numerous biomedical disciplines. Ample opportunities for career development, mentorship and clinical exposure based on candidate interest.
Key requirements:
We are looking for a creative and highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with strong enthusiasm for science. A successful candidate should have a PhD degree within the last three years in the biomedical field and a strong academic background in neuroscience, molecular biology, electrophysiology, neurophysiology, pharmacology, cell biology, chronobiology, neuroimmunology, cancer biology (tumor microenvironment), or another related discipline. Applicants should have experience working with animals in a research environment.
At least one first author publication (peer reviewed original research) and previous experience with pain research are considered strong merits. The ideal candidate should be able to work independently and will take part in experimental planning, applying for grants, drafting of manuscripts and co-supervision of research staff and students. There will be opportunities to develop experimental tasks, analyze large datasets and to present and publish high impact science. Excellent communication skills in English, good interpersonal skills, and ability to work in team environments, and technical and organizational abilities are expected.
Employment at Johns Hopkins University:
The employment is a 2-year position with a possibility of prolongation. A 6-month trial period will be applied. Postdoctoral fellow salary will be based on NIH guideline, individual health insurance [through the School of Medicine Student Health Program (SHP)] and dental insurance will be provided. Salary is commensurate with skills and experience and benefits will be provided.
Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a single document containing: 1) an updated CV (including date of the thesis defense, title of the thesis, previous academic/work positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions and list of peer-reviewed publications), 2) a brief personal statement describing research interests and career goals, and 3) contact information for three references. Select applicants will be invited to interview. Please directly email the document to:
Dr. Eellan Sivanesan, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology
Director of Neuromodulation
Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine
Johns Hopkins University-School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland 21218
Deadline: January 1, 2022.
Sivanesan Neuromodulation Laboratory (SNL) Website
Twitter: @DoctorSivaMD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eellan-sivanesan/
Johns Hopkins University is an equal opportunity employer M/F/D/V.