Biological Scientist III

Dr. Ayako Makino’s laboratory seeks a skilled and motivated Biological Scientist Step III to join our translational research team specializing in cardiovascular pathophysiology and vascular cell biology. The area of our research focuses on the pathogenic mechanisms of coronary vascular complications in Diabetes and Kawasaki Disease, and pulmonary vascular pathobiology in Pulmonary Hypertension. The role of the candidate involves conducting diverse tasks crucial to supporting the lab's impactful research, encompassing multidimensional experiments and assays. The ideal candidate will demonstrate autonomy within the research team, utilizing extensive experience and sound judgment to strategize and achieve predefined objectives within research projects. A high level of creativity and latitude is expected, along with a comprehensive understanding of our research topics, laboratory concepts, practices, and procedures. The successful candidate will work as a lead investigator in one of our ongoing projects. The incumbent must have skills to conduct animal and cell physiological experiments (i.e., evaluation of cardiac and vascular function using Millar system or echocardiogram in mice, generating cardiac ischemia/reperfusion model, dissection of small arteries [coronary and pulmonary artery] for isometric tension experiment, or isolation of coronary and pulmonary endothelial cells from animals) and molecular biological experiments (i.e., Western Blot, PCR, qPCR, or FACS). Additionally, the role involves troubleshooting technical issues, analyzing data, and contributing to the efficient functioning of the lab to facilitate high-quality scientific outcomes.

Responsibilities and Duties: 

• Conducting advanced cardiac and vascular physiological experiments in vivo and ex vivo and electrophysiological experiments using isolated vascular cells from mice.
• The cardiovascular experiments include the evaluation of cardiac and vascular function using Millar system or echocardiogram in mice, generating cardiac ischemia/reperfusion model, dissection of small arteries [coronary and pulmonary artery] for isometric tension experiment, and isolation of coronary and pulmonary endothelial cells from animals.
• The electrophysiological and cell-physiological experiments include the assessment of intracellular, mitochondrial, ER Ca2+ concentration, ROS (i.e., O₂^-, NO), cell migration, proliferation, apoptosis, and gap junction activity.
• Perform the molecular biological experiments encompass Western Blot, PCR, qPCR, and FACS.
• Coordinate with other investigators for lab research, including maintaining the function of lab equipment, managing the lab research record (including methodological approaches and animal protocols), and maintaining transgenic mouse colony.
• Perform data acquisition and analysis, grant and manuscript preparation, and presentation of findings at weekly lab meetings.
• Provide hands-on mentorship and training to visiting scholars, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students, guiding them through the design and implementation of molecular biological experiments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

$56,000 - $74,000 annually. 

Bachelor's degree in biology or a related field and seven years of experience or Master's degree in biology or a related field with five year of experience. Doctoral degree in biology or related field with two years of experience.

• Theoretical and working knowledge in advanced cardiovascular physiology.
• Aseptic techniques for cell culture.
• Demonstrated ability in the evaluation of cardiac and vascular function using Millar system or echocardiogram in mice, generating cardiac ischemia/reperfusion model, dissection of small arteries [coronary and pulmonary artery] for isometric tension experiment, and isolating heart and lung vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells.
• Demonstrated ability and experience in Western Blot, immunoprecipitation, PCR, qPCR, and FACS.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to experimental design, analysis, interpretation of the results, and troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated experience assisting with writing scientific manuscripts and contributing to teamwork in physiological and molecular biological experiments.
• Demonstrated effective time management skills to plan and organize work assignments in an efficient and productive manner.
• Demonstrated skill in working with animals and human tissues.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the following specialized programs; SnapGene, GraphPad, EndNote, and MS Word/Excel/PowerPoint.
• Enthusiasm for learning and a genuine interest in scientific research. Willingness and ability to learn new skills, research methods, and scientific principles.

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

Please provide names and email addresses of three to five references as part of the application process. When ready, the hiring department will contact the listed references via email requesting their reference letters to be uploaded directly to the application website.