Position Available

Postdoctoral Associate Position

Burnham Institue for Medical Research; Diabetes and Obesity Research Center

Orlando, FL

(posted 6/12/2009)

Duties & Responsibilities

A Postdoctoral Associate will use genetic and metabolic approaches to investigate mechanisms of obesity-related phenotypes such as fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, and other features of metabolic syndrome, as well as development of type 2 diabetes.  This project will use genetically defined mouse models with inherited deficiencies or transgenic models involving mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation enzymes, peroxisomal proliferator activated receptors and other relevant mouse models. We will have in-house support of extensive research core facilities for cardiometabolic phenotyping, metabolomics, and genomics.  
Examples of previous related work:

1. Zhang D, Choi C-S. Liu Z-X, Tian L, Kibbey R. Dong J, Cline G, Wood PA, Shulman GI. Mitochondrial dysfunction due to long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency causes hepatic steatosis and hepatic insulin resistance. Proceedings of National Academy Sciences (USA), 104:17075-17080, 2007.
2. Ji S, You Y, Kerner J, Hoppel CL, Schoeb TR, Chick WSH, Hamm DA, Sharer JD, Wood PA. Homozygous carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1b (muscle isoform) deficiency is lethal in the mouse. Molecular Genetics & Metabolism 93: 314-322, 2008.
3. Ji S, Hardy RF, Wood PA. Transgenic expression of n-3 fatty acid desaturase (fat-1) in C57/BL6 mice: Effects on glucose homeostasis and body weight. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, in press.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will be experienced with mouse model work (set up matings/genotyping/feeding diets), molecular techniques such as PCR, RT-PCR, western blot (e.g., insulin signaling analyses), statistical/bioinformatics experience, and strong desire to be part of a team effort in understanding the metabolic genetics of obesity-related disease processes.

To apply:

Please send in a single pdf file (1) a cover letter to include a summary of your past research experience, future career goals/objectives, (2) your CV and (3) the names and e-mail addresses of 3 references who can be contacted. Please e-mail this information to Prinicpal Investigator, Philip A. Wood at pwood@burnham.org.

Full-Time.

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