Post Doctoral Fellow - Vision Sciences (Finance)
Department: Vision Sciences Salary: Commensurate with experience
Description:
Possesses, understands, and applies a comprehensive knowledge in area of specialization. Develops understanding and skills to allow for completion of assignments that cross fields of specialization. Develops leadership and management skills.
1. Receives/Reviews progress and evaluates results of experiments or projects under control or supervisory responsibility.
2. Recommends changes in research, testing or experimental procedures.
3. May be responsible for a single highly technical and complex piece of research equipment.
4. May review and evaluate the effectiveness of personnel.
5. May plan for and assign personnel to projects under control.
6. Operates with latitude for unreviewed action.
7. May receive general supervision conferring with higher levels only in unusual situations.
8. Performs other job-related duties as required.
The postdoctoral researcher will lead projects focused on the design and development of therapeutic proteins targeting fibrotic and angiogenic pathways in ocular disease. This includes structure-guided engineering of extracellular matrix mimetics, such as decorin and lumican variants, and de novo design of hyperstable miniprotein binders using advanced computational platforms. The work integrates protein modeling, in silico affinity optimization, and mechanistic studies aimed at modulating key signaling molecules such as TGF-β, VEGFR, integrins, and HMGB1. The candidate will work in close collaboration with experts in protein chemistry, cell biology, and translational ophthalmic research.
Express and purify recombinant proteins using bacterial (e.g., E. coli) and mammalian (e.g., Expi293, ExpiCHO) expression systems. Characterize proteins through biochemical and biophysical methods, including chromatography (SEC, ion exchange, affinity), SDS-PAGE, BCA, ELISA, and SPR/MST. Conduct cell-based assays to evaluate protein function, including signaling, fibrosis, and angiogenesis readouts in relevant cell models (e.g., hTCEpi, HUVECs, NIH3T3). Independently plan, execute, and analyze experiments while maintaining rigorous documentation and data integrity. Collaborate with team members across interdisciplinary projects, contribute to manuscripts and grant writing, and assist in mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.
MQ: Requires singular knowledge of a specialized advanced professional discipline or the highest level of general business knowledge, normally acquired through attainment of a directly job-related terminal degree or equivalent formal training in a recognized field of specialization that is directly related to the type of work being performed. No experience is required.
All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.
The University of Houston System and its universities are an Equal Opportunity Institution.
