Description

A postdoctoral position is available in the Sun lab to investigate the role of reactive astrocytes in glaucoma. Unlike those in the brain, we still know very little about astrocytic functions in the normal retina and optic nerve, and how it changes in neurodegeneration. We use transcriptomic and molecular biological techniques to characterize the astrocytes in various experimental glaucoma models and manipulate their function to determine how this changes their interactions with neighboring cells in the retina, and visual outcome, in a positive or negative way. The position will involve the use of histological, molecular and functional analyses, including: immunohistochemistry, in-situ hybridization, western blotting, RT-qPCR, RNAseq, ribotag-immunoprecipitation, AAV, metabolic assays (Seahorse, Elisa assays), cell cultures and functional testing such as electroretinogram , optomotor response, optical coherence tomography and other non-invasive imaging techniques. This is a NIH funded position in the Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School. The Boston area is intellectually exciting, multidisciplinary, and known for its excellence in basic and translational research. Applicants with experience in cell culture and molecular biology in general are highly desirable. Salary is commensurate with the NIH scale. Starting as soon as possible.