Topics: Spinal cord injury, Bladder function, Improving quality of life for persons with spinal cord injury, Translational research
Applicants are invited to apply for a full time DoD-funded postdoctoral position at the University of Washington, School of Medicine in the area of spinal cord injury repair available in the Khaing lab.
Dr. Zin Khaing, a renowned neurobiologist with extensive experience in acute pathophysiology, cellular and systems neurobiology, and behavior analyses of experimental models of brain and spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injury can result in deficits in motor and sensory function, including the ability to empty the bladder voluntarily and the development of neurogenic bladder negatively impairing the quality of life for persons with spinal cord injury. This position is supported by a DoD grant-funded project examining treatment options to optimize bladder health for patients with spinal cord injury. To that end, the group utilize a novel strategy to limit bladder tissue hypertrophy and improve the compliance of the bladder thereby increasing the bladder health and longevity after spinal cord injury. State-of-the-art techniques are used to assess bladder physiology and tissue health in a rodent model of spinal cord injury. We will also perform a pilot clinical study to ascertain the feasibility of our approach in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury.
Our research team is highly interdisciplinary, and we work closely with neuroscientist, physicists, bioengineers, neurosurgeons, physiatrists, physical therapists, and neuro-urologists.
Successful candidates will be expected to integrate well with our research team and pioneer facilitation of rodent experiments, monitor bladder tissue and physiological change, perform behavioral testing, and acquisition of histology and bladder physiology data. Solid expertise with rodent animal experiments is desired and expertise in bladder tissue changes associated with injury or trauma would be beneficial. An interest in how the injury to the nervous system can affect terminal organs such as the bladder is a must.
Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.
This is an annually renewed (12-month service period) appointment. The anticipated start date is September 1,2023.
The salary range for this position will be $5,459-$7,374 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination. Salary will be commensurate with research experience and based on the NIH guidelines for postdoctoral trainees.