Research Assistant Professor

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

1d•$85,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Division of Neonatology in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the Perinatal Research Center. We seek an innovative and collaborative scientist with expertise in reproductive physiology and placental biology. The successful candidate will be able to leverage both large animal and in vitro models to establish an independent, extramurally funded research program. Their research program should focus on utilizing advanced in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro models to investigate the endocrine, molecular, and physiological mechanisms that regulate maternal-placental-fetal interactions, with particular emphasis on nutrient transport across the placenta, trophoblast mitochondrial function and endocrine signaling, and fetal adaptations to metabolic challenges. It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to integrate their research with collaborative projects ongoing in other faculty laboratories at the Perinatal Research Center and within the Division of Neonatology. Applicants should hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Biomedical Sciences, Animal Science, or related field. Competitive candidates will demonstrate evidence of research independence with a clear trajectory toward securing NIH or equivalent extramural funding, along with expertise in advanced experimental techniques including gene targeting approaches in vivo (RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing), surgical vascular instrumentation of sheep pregnancies, metabolic tracer physiology studies, Doppler ultrasound and velocimetry, placental biology, and human trophoblast cell and organoid culture systems.

Requirements

Ph.D. or equivalent in Biomedical Sciences, Animal Science, Reproductive Biology, or related field.
Dissertation focused on the ovine placental lactogen.
Strong research background in reproductive physiology, perinatal biology, or placental endocrinology.
Demonstrated experience and expertise with both in vivo large-animal models and molecular/cellular systems for investigating placental and fetal physiology.
Evidence of scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national/international conferences.
Competitive record of research funding indicating a trajectory that will culminate in NIH or equivalent extramural funding. This includes successfully having obtained T32 and F32 funding.
A publication record in peer-reviewed manuscripts that demonstrates expertise in: o In vivo vascular access for in fetal and placental circulations of pregnant sheep. o Fetoplacental hormonal crosstalk and its role in nutrient transport and fetal growth. o Glucagon and placental lactogen in reproductive physiology. o The use of large-animal models (ovine, bovine) to investigate pregnancy. o Surgical proficiency in embryo transfer in sheep. o Proficiency with molecular biology techniques, including RNA interference (RNAi), gene expression analysis, and vector design. o Experience with cell culture. o Physiological studies including metabolic tracer studies, blood gas, nutrient and hormone measurements. o Utilization of Doppler ultrasonography to measure blood flow and measures of blood flow in sheep. o Targeted metabolomics platforms across various tissue types.

Nice To Haves

Experience of manipulating maternal nutrition to study the effects of uterine blood flow and fetal and developmental programming outcomes using the beef cow.
Prior experience with RNA sequencing processing and bioinformatics.
Experience with presenting research to policy makers.
Experience with experimental infections of cells and animals with pathogens.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead an independent, extramurally funded research program in perinatal physiology.
Perform pregnant sheep vascular instrumentation surgeries.
Leverage in vivo techniques such as metabolic tracer studies, nutrient and hormone clamps, and/or Doppler ultrasound to study physiology.
Establish a trophoblast organoid model that includes corresponding gene editing pipeline to study fetal-placental signaling at the Perinatal Research Center.
Conduct mechanistic studies determining how fetal and placental hormones regulate nutrient delivery, metabolism, and fetal growth.
Apply advanced molecular biology in vivo approaches such as RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9 in the sheep to study cause-and-effect relationships between fetal signals and placental function.
Mentor graduate students, MD fellows and postdoctoral trainees.
Contribute to interdisciplinary collaborations across the Anschutz Medical Campus.