Posted: 04-Dec-23
Location: Stephenville, Texas
Type: Full Time
Salary: Commiserate with experience
Required Education:
Internal Number: R-065338
A postdoctoral position is available in the Department of Animal Science, with a focus on evaluating intra-articular therapeutics in horses. To answer key questions regarding enhanced performance longevity for young horses, this laboratory led by Dr. Jessica Leatherwood, studies differing conditioning methods on the joint health of young horses in training, and their eventual effect on joint health as an adult. The data generated contribute to less risk of musculoskeletal injury and the protection of competition integrity. We seek a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in equine physiology and/or veterinary science and an interest to join a diverse team of investigators positioned across the United States.
This full-time position is on a renewable twelve-month contract with a maximum appointment of two years. This is a non-faculty research staff appointment.
Job Duties:
- Develops and implements animal experiments according to approved research protocols involving intra-articular therapeutics and orthobiologics.
- Performs various ELISA and multiplex immunoassay analyses related to markers of joint inflammation, pain, and cartilage metabolism in blood and synovial fluid.
- Performs histological evaluation of articular cartilage and associated structures.
- Conducts immunofluorescent histological analyses.
- Identifies specific proteins via Western blot analyses.
- Establishes and optimizes new protocols for protein and gene expression.
- Trains and mentors graduate and undergraduate students in the lab.
- Generates manuscripts, conference abstracts, and presentations.
- Collaborates with Dr. Leatherwood and a team of faculty in preparing grant proposals.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to communicate by clear, concise, accurate oral and written means of expression.
- Ability to independently assess and implement laboratory methods and interpret results.
- A successful record of authorship on peer-reviewed publications and presentations.
- Ability to be proactive, highly organized, and responsible with a strong work ethic.
- PhD in veterinary science, animal science, biological sciences, or closely related field.
- Candidates with a DVM and PhD are desired.
- Candidate must have fundamental knowledge of equine or animal models of study related to joint health, able to maintain a collaborative environment, and engage in taking on challenging projects beyond their area of expertise.
- Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English.
- Experience with statistical software and data analysis.
The successful candidate will have earned a Ph.D. or equivalent research doctorate at the time of appointment (i.e., start date) and will have received their doctoral degree no more than 4 years before the start of the financial support.
If the degree has not been conferred at the time the applicant applies for the postdoctoral scholar position, a letter needs to be attached from their school's official Graduate Office and/or Registrar's Office certifying that all requirements for the degree have been met and stating the degree conferral date.
The selected candidate for the position must be able to meet eligibility requirements for work in the United States at the time appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the proposed term of employment, be able to communicate effectively in English, and be trained in or able to obtain training in the responsible and ethical conduct of research.
