Pre-doctoral Research Fellow - Otopathology Research

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Read, analyze and summarize published literature
• Design and execute retrospective research studies
• Assist in executing prospective research studies
• Undertake relevant coursework if required by mentor.
• Attend relevant meetings
• Meet regularly with mentor to review project progress and milestones
• Plan and deliver a seminar on the project
• Take administrative (inventory, purchasing, etc. ) responsibilities in the lab when necessary
• Write a final report or submit a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal describing the project and results
• Prepares basic solutions and performs base-level procedures as assigned (i.e. pipetting, cell and tissue culture, etc.).
• Maintains laboratory notebook.
• Understands molarity.
• Conducts analysis of results and may begin interpretation of results.
• Sets up and prepares routine experiments as directed.
• Prepares lab reagents, chemicals, instruments, and equipment.
• May perform independent literature searches.
• Assists with organizing materials for publication or presentation.
• Maintains and orders supplies.
• May provide responsible care to animals.
• Executes protocols of non-routine experiments.
• Assists PI with determining the most suitable methodology.
• Performs basic design and modification of protocols.
• Calculates, transcribes, and analyzes data.
• Prepares and presents reports.
• Organizes and summarizes acquired data, using scientific and statistical techniques.
• Organizes and/or drafts material for the preparation of research papers, manuscripts, or other documents for publication and/or presentation.
• Participates in the design of experiments or field work
• Basic understanding of molecular biology techniques, genotyping.
• Performing molecular biology including recombinant cloning and preparation of expression vectors
• Performing transient transfections, selections, clone isolation and other standard molecular biology techniques

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

• Ability to work independently and as team member
• Analytical skills and ability to resolve technical problems
• Ability to interpret acceptability of data results
• Working knowledge of data management programs
• High Degree of computer literacy
• Demonstrated competence in research techniques and methodologies.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

• Works independently with some supervision.
• Supervisor available to handle unusual situations and periodically reviews work.
• Lab peers available to teach new techniques

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• May serve as a team leader to undergraduate researchers, lab assistants and interns

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree, pursuing a master's or doctoral degree (MD or PhD) and with prior research experience. Minimum of 1 year of directly related experience preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

In-person in a laboratory setting and remotely (when possible).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possible lifting of 10 to 20 lbs., depending on nature of chosen project(s).

The Otopathology laboratory project will focus on investigating a relationship between audiogram thresholds and severe neuroepithelial degeneration patterns in the human cochlea, using the MEE Otopathology Laboratory specimens. Because the cochlea cannot be directly analyzed in live patients, clinical trials for regenerative and gene therapies rely on audiograms to estimate cochlear pathology. As a result, we aim to identify a pattern that correlates audiogram results with cochlear pathology. We hypothesize that audiograms depicting 90 dB threshold hearing loss at any frequency correspond to regions of the cochlea with a flattened sensory epithelium. In other words, patients with this level of hearing loss are unlikely to benefit from cochlear regeneration therapies. In this study, we will analyze audiograms from deceased patients with hearing loss at or above the 90 dB threshold, alongside two-dimensional reconstructions of the cochlea, digital slide microscopy, and histological analysis of the inner ear to analyze sensory epithelial histology. We will use a frequency map to correlate audiogram findings with histologic findings. This research could lead to better identification of patients who are suitable candidates for regenerative therapies.