Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title	Postdoctoral Fellow - Omary Lab
Job Category	Staff & Executive - Research Support (Laboratory/Non-Laboratory)
Department	RWJ-CABM
Overview	New Jersey’s academic health center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) takes an integrated approach to educating students, providing clinical care, and conducting research, all with the goal of improving human health. Aligned with Rutgers University–New Brunswick and collaborating university wide, RBHS includes eight schools, a behavioral health network, and five centers and institutes that focus on cancer treatment and research, neuroscience, advanced biotechnology and medicine, environmental and occupational health, and health care policy and aging research. Our faculty are teachers, clinicians, and scientists with unparalleled experience who advance medical innovation and provide patient care informed by the latest research findings. We offer an outstanding education in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, biomedical research, and the full spectrum of allied health careers. Our clinical and academic facilities are located throughout the state—at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, including Piscataway; and at locations in Newark, Scotch Plains, Somerset, Stratford, and other locations. Clinical partners include Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Newark’s University Hospital in Newark, and other affiliates. Through this community of healers, scientists, and scholars, Rutgers is equipped as never before to transform lives.
Posting Summary	Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Bishr Omary at the Rutgers University Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine (CABM). Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the Postdoctoral Fellow will conduct exciting research in the following areas of study: (i) Regulation, via posttranslational modifications and associated proteins, and disease association of keratin and lamin intermediate filament proteins in digestive organs. This effort also builds on high throughput drug screening compounds the lab has carried out to identify potential therapies in patients who harbor one of more than 70 human diseases caused by intermediate filament gene mutations for which there is no treatment (Am J Physiol 2017; Gastroenterology 2018); (ii) Understanding the mechanism of porphyria-associated tissue injury, and the genetic modifiers that contribute to penetrance of the different porphyrias disease manifestations (FASEB J 2016; Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; Sci Reports 2021; J Biol Chem 2021). This project includes using zebrafish models we generated to discover novel therapies; (iii) Understanding how a urea cycle mitochondrial enzyme is secreted into bile and what underlies its anti-inflammatory properties that are independent of its enzyme activity (PNAS 2019). The Postdoctoral Fellow is expected to conduct research that will lead to publications and to use the experience and other career development opportunities to prepare for an independent career in an academic or industry setting. As such, the Postdoctoral Fellow will be expected to prepare manuscripts and to contribute to grant preparation and to apply for fellowships. The Postdoctoral Fellow will also participate in the configuration and maintenance of instrumentation necessary for conduct of the project. The fellow will also have the opportunity to mentor undergraduate or graduate research students. The Postdoctoral Fellow will perform other lab-related duties as assigned. This is a grant-funded position contingent on the continued availability of funds to support it. Among the key duties of this position are the following: Conduct research in the area of regulation, via posttranslational modifications and associated proteins, of keratin and lamin intermediate filament proteins in digestive organs. This effort includes high throughput drug screening and characterization of compounds that may provide potential therapy in patients with intermediate filament gene mutations. Conduct studies to understand the mechanism of porphyria-associated tissue injury, and the genetic modifiers that contribute to penetrance of the different porphyrias disease manifestations. Carry out research studies of a urea cycle enzyme that manifests anti-inflammatory properties. Participate in the configuration and maintenance of laboratory instrumentation and equipment, including computers, necessary for conduct of the project. Prepare scientific manuscripts for publication, and when appropriate submit independent fellowship applications. Supervise and guide the research project of undergraduate or graduate research students.
Position Status	Full Time
Hours Per Week
Daily Work Shift	Day
FLSA	Exempt
Grade	99S
Position Salary
Annual Minimum Salary
Annual Mid Range Salary
Annual Maximum Salary
Standard Hours	37.50
Union Description	Non-Union
Payroll Designation	PeopleSoft
Benefits	Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. For details, please go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview . Rutgers also offers a benefit program to eligible full-time postdoctoral fellow students. For details, please go to https://finance.rutgers.edu/healthcare-risk/insurance/postdoctoral-health-insurance.
COVID-19 Immunization Requirement	Under Policy 60.1.35 , Rutgers University requires all prospective employees to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated and have received a booster (where eligible) against COVID-19 prior to commencement of employment, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Prospective employees who are not eligible for a booster at the time of an offer of employment must provide proof they have received a booster within two weeks (14 calendar days) of eligibility . Based on current guidance, individuals are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the final dose of any COVID-19 vaccine authorized or approved for use in the United States by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Eligibility for a booster against COVID-19 varies and is explained on the University’s web site located at https://coronavirus.rutgers.edu/covid-19-vaccine . Failure to provide proof of primary vaccination and booster will result in rescission of a prospective employee’s offer of employment and/or disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Seniority Unit
Terms of Appointment	Staff - 12 month
Position Pension Eligibility	None

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	Ph.D. in Physiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or a related biomedical science. Experience in biochemical, genetic, molecular or cell biological techniques.
Certifications/Licenses
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities	The candidate should have a record of publication commensurate with level of training. The candidate is expected to be proficient in spoken and written English. Must have the ability to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be able to work independently.
Preferred Qualifications	Research experience with mouse and/or zebrafish experimental systems. Previous mentoring experience.
Equipment Utilized
Physical Demands and Work Environment	PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Manual dexterity and vision sufficient for standard laboratory operations including pipetting and use of microscopes. WORK ENVIRONMENT; Laboratory environment. Universal lab and safety precautions are mandatory.
Special Conditions

Posting Details

Posting Number	22ST2262
Posting Open Date
Special Instructions to Applicants
Regional Campus	Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)
Home Location Campus	Downtown New Brunswick
City	New Brunswick
State	NJ
Location Details	New Brunswick, New Jersey

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Infection Control and Safety

This position is subject to all Rutgers University policies, including TB surveillance and other infection control and safety policies. Please review the Tuberculosis Surveillance Policy for additional information.

Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion, and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement