Post-doctoral Fellowship - Retinal Ganglion Cell Replacement and Optic Nerve Regeneration

A Postdoctoral Research Fellowship position is available in the Optic Nerve Regeneration and Neuroprotection Laboratory at the the Wilmer Eye Institute. We are seeking a highly qualified, motivated, and creative scientist with expertise in cellular neuroscience and/or molecular biology. Our laboratory is a founding member of the cross-disciplinary Hopkins Optic Nerve Regeneration Initiative, and the successful candidate will play a central role in a collaborative project investigating the functional integration of stem cell-derived neurons into the mammalian retina. The laboratory is directed by Thomas V Johnson . Project collaborators and co-mentors for the successful applicant will include ARVO Friedenwald Award winners Harry Quigley and Don Zack as well as former HHMI investigator and National Academy of Medicine member Alex Kolodkin.

Wilmer Eye Institute: Founded in 1925, the Wilmer Eye Institute is the largest Department of Ophthalmology in the United States. In addition to being recognized as a preeminent provider of general and subspecialty clinical eye care, Wilmer is an internationally recognized research enterprise. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/wilmer

Description of the project: Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) replacement holds potential for restoring lost vision in optic neuropathies including glaucoma. While worldwide efforts are making strides in promoting RGC axon regeneration from the eye to the brain, whether and how transplanted RGCs integrate with the recipient inner retina remains poorly understood. The successful applicant will lead a project aimed at characterizing and optimizing the functional retinal integration of transplanted stem cell derived RGCs in multiple rodent models of glaucoma and optic neuropathy. Relevant techniques to be employed include cell and tissue culture, multiphoton microscopy, optical electrophysiology, semi-automated and automated 3D image analysis, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, RNA sequencing, and rodent microsurgery. The position will also involve authorship of manuscripts and presentation of data at national and international conferences.

This is a two-to-five year full-time position, renewable yearly based on successful performance. The successful applicant must have a PhD degree in neuroscience, cell biology, molecular biology, or a closely related field. Ideal qualities in the candidate include strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent communication and teamwork, and an interest in visual neuroscience. A strong publication record is required.

Please submit your CV, a brief statement of interest and career goals (2-page max), as well as three reference letters via "Apply Now" in Interfolio.

For questions, please contact the principle investigator:

Thomas V Johnson III, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology

Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University

600 North Wolfe Street, Maumenee B-110

Baltimore, MD, USA 21287 Email: johnson@jhmi.edu

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