The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has a full time opening for a Postdoctoral Associate in the Division of Reproductive Sciences (Feng Lab). The postdoctoral associate will be working in the area of placental origins of disease, studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms of regulation of placental function and to investigate the role of changes in placental function in the development of pregnancy complications and determining fetal development and long-term health. The Feng Lab employs physiological, molecular, and translational approaches. The lab utilizes a wide variety of model systems including primary human trophoblast cells, stem cells, human placental tissue, mice, rats, and rabbits. Current projects include 1) studies of the impact of perinatal PFAS exposure on placental function and early programming of fetal development, identifying mechanistic links between altered placental function, fetal growth, and adult health, placental-fetal signaling in modulating fetal immune and brain development; 2) studies of the roles of placental molecular signals in reproduction and neurobehavioral development in offspring using placental specific knockout mouse models. A principal investigator (Dr. Liping Feng) will supervise this position.

The successful applicant will:

·         Perform experiments using advanced biomedical research techniques and develop new methods/applications.

·         Have the primary responsibility for writing scientific publications.

·         Present the results at national and international scientific meetings.

·         Provide instructions to students, research associates and other post-doctoral associates.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The applicant must have documented training and experience in integrative physiology, molecular/cell biology and/or mouse models. The applicant should be motivated, maintain methodic and careful work practices, have interest in learning new skills and knowledge, have excellent communication skills, be able to have flexible work schedule as required for completion of study goals and enjoy teamwork. Moreover, the successful applicant is expected to have an ability to work independently, a strong work ethic and a commitment to becoming an independent scientist with excellent skills in scientific writing.