Assoc Research Scientist - Pediatrics

The UI Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology is seeking a full-time Associate Research Scientist. This position will be responsible for conducting research studying traumatic brain injury and epilepsy in animal models.

The focus of the project will be to understand the fundamental neurobiological processes leading to epilepsy and its cognitive and emotional comorbidities. Anatomic, biochemical and molecular techniques will be used to characterize and modulate activity-dependent injury and cell death. Major goals and objectives of the research includes to study how alterations in cellular and molecular mechanisms mediate neuroinflammation, cell death and hippocampal/cortical circuit dysfunction in epilepsy; investigate the mechanisms through which the intervention compounds affords neuroprotection and seizure reduction in rodent models of epilepsy; identify therapeutic targets within cellular signaling pathways for attenuating or reversing epileptogenesis.

Duties to include:

Position Responsibilities

Experiments, Simulations, Modeling or Theoretical Investigations

• Initiate research design and methodology
• Originate design, research conduct, and coordination
• Maintain laboratory equipment as needed
• Develop hypotheses to be tested and select methodology
• Work independently on complex research tasks with oversight by Faculty or Principal Investigator

Data/Research Analysis and Evaluation

• Perform advanced data analysis techniques
• Develop new applications of existing data analysis techniques

Dissemination of Research Results

• May prepare and submit first author manuscriptions for publication
• Demonstrate strong publication record
• May contribute to public data archives or other resources e.g., software models, or online tools to support scientific research

Research Proposals/Grants

• Serve as co-PI, contribute to research proposals and funding agency reports
• May write research proposal to obtain independent funding as PI
• Select and purchase equipment as needed

Service

• Seek leadership opportunities appropriate to the scientific discipline, which may include serving on proposal review panels
• May serve on departmental or University committees
• May organize outreach efforts in alliance with funding sources
• Assisting with experimental design and methodology
• Analyzing data
• Writing manuscripts
• Performing statistical analyses
• Serve as co-PI, contribute to research proposals and funding agency reports.
• Assist with procurement of supplies and materials

Supervision

• Mentor graduate students
• May provide functional and/ or administrative supervision for staff
• Provide direction, assignments, feedback, coaching and counseling to assure outcomes are achieved