Assistant Professor - Peripheral Nerve PhD Scientist (Tenure or Research track)

University of Utah - Salt Lake City, UT

Full-time - Entry Level

Salt Lake City, UT

Educational Services

About the position

The University of Utah's Department of Neurosurgery is seeking an Assistant Professor - Peripheral Nerve PhD Scientist for a tenure-track or research-track appointment. This position is focused on advancing research in peripheral nerve injuries, particularly non-healing nerve injuries and the associated pathophysiology of neuroma-in-continuity (NIC). The successful candidate will collaborate closely with Dr. Mark A. Mahan and will be responsible for leading a laboratory team, which includes Lab Technicians and Post-Doctoral Research Associates. The role involves developing experimental protocols, preparing manuscripts, writing grants, overseeing experiments, and managing lab personnel. The overarching goal is to establish an independent research lab that works in conjunction with a clinician-scientist, leveraging existing NIH, SBIR, and University funding. The research conducted in this lab aims to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical application, focusing on the cellular and molecular microenvironment that inhibits axonal regeneration in peripheral nerve injuries. The lab has developed a translational model that mimics clinical injury mechanisms, allowing for the characterization of nerve regeneration processes. The ideal candidate will be deeply involved in high-impact research projects with a strong emphasis on clinical translation, potentially leading to future clinical trials and intellectual property development. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, as the University of Utah values individuals who can contribute to improving access to education and healthcare for historically underrepresented groups. The position requires a doctorate in a relevant scientific discipline and a minimum of four years of experience, along with strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a research setting.

Responsibilities

• Co-develops scientific research projects, and acts as a lead scientist.
• Researches and stays current with project related scientific literature.
• Sets up new methods or assays to accomplish scientific objectives.
• Identifies and implements creative solutions to overcome problems.
• Organizes, interprets data and derives study conclusions.
• Manages and trains research staff to achieve research goals.
• Collaborates with internal and external investigators on multiple research projects ensuring scientific significance and feasibility.
• Summarizes results of clinical studies in the form of scientific abstracts and manuscripts.
• Serves as a resource to provide clinical and scientific information needed for various initiatives.
• Contributes to teaching activities by preparing and presenting educational seminars.
• Assists with grant proposal preparation by researching background, significance and planning statistics, and working with research administrators to meet deadlines.
• Attends national conferences and presents results of clinical studies.

Requirements

• Doctorate degree in biology, neuroscience, immunology, or bioengineering or other scientific discipline in a related field plus four years of experience or equivalency required.
• Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.
• Experience with laboratory research procedures including flow cytometry, immunohistology, animal breeding (especially maintenance of transgenic animals), neurophysiology, and behavioral testing.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in immunology.
• Experience in cell culture.
• Experience with peripheral nerve disorders.
• Strong preference for candidates with a PhD in immunology or peripheral nerve disorders.