Description

PURPOSE OF POSITION: Dr. Miethke's Autoimmune Liver Disease Laboratory seeks a research fellow to perform and analyze single cell genomics studies on liver tissue samples from patients and from animal models of primary sclerosing cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis, or biliary atresia. These studies will involve cutting-edge, high-dimensional, immune-system measurements (e.g., single-cell RNAsec, scATAC sec, and spatial transcriptomics) and will be analyzed in collaboration with Dr. Miraldi providing expertise in computational and systems biology. Studies will be performed in partnership with other investigators of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology focusing on single cell genomics and organoid studies to unravel disease mechanisms of inflammatory liver and gut diseases (including inflammatory bowel disease) to develop novel and targeted therapies. The mathematical modeling frameworks utilized between the Miethke and Miraldi labs span mechanistic (e.g., dynamic gene regulatory networks) to deep learning (e.g., prediction of cellular epigenomes from DNA sequence). Situated at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, we are dedicated to studies that will ultimately improve the health of children. The ideal candidate will collaborate closely with other computational biologists in the Divisions of Immunobiology and Bioinformatics, with physicians, and with clinical research coordinators of the Center for Autoimmune Liver Disease (CALD). The Miethke investigative team is dedicated to compassionate translational research for and with patients with autoimmune liver disease and their family members.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is a premier pediatric research institution with over 900 diverse and productive faculty members. Here, researchers work collaboratively across specialties and divisions to address some of the biggest challenges we face today in improving child health. A strong network of research support services and facilities, along with institutional commitment to research, push our team of faculty, postdocs and support staff to explore the boundaries of what is possible, leading to significant breakthroughs. We are driven by our mission to improve child health and transform the delivery of care through fully integrated, globally recognized research, education and innovation.

Post-doctoral research fellows at Cincinnati Children's are valued for their unique interests and strengths, and are supported by our institution's strong programming for post-docs through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and the Office of Academic Affairs and Career Development. Mentoring, support for international students and an emphasis on crafting high-quality grant proposals are only a few of the features that set our program apart. Cincinnati Children's is a respected part of the broader, and very vibrant, Cincinnati community. With a thriving arts scene, numerous festivals celebrating music and food, a passionate fan following for our college and professional sports teams, and a variety of opportunities for outdoor activities, our region is truly a great place to work and live.

REPRESENTATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

???Perform analysis and experiments
Design, execute, and record analysis and experiments; apply standard scientific protocols to research, and improve current methods and evaluate innovative techniques. Develop and implement human subject research protocols, vertebrate animal research protocols and design experimental procedures and documentation in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations. Prepare, clean and analyze data. Maintain optimal protocol and accuracy by conducting regular quality and reproducibility checks.
???Communicate results/findings
Draft, write, and edit scientific reports, papers, journal articles, and abstracts. Present information on research and department work to others at department meetings, journal clubs, and seminars. Present results and discuss relevant insights with Faculty and provide useful recommendations and analysis.
???Innovate and advance departmental capabilities
Independently reproduce, evaluate, research, and improve techniques currently used. Adapt new methods to existing procedures and modify current analysis/experiments through scientific knowledge and intuition. Maintain accurate and detailed records of all analysis and experiments. Develop, set-up, and verify new procedures in the department. Standardize and establish new published procedures; evaluate innovative techniques. Develop new protocols; design formats. Maintain an integral role in the department's meetings, presentations, and publications. Troubleshoot and correct erroneous results or problems with department software/equipment. Maintain and repair software/equipment; monitor proper use by personnel.
???Financial/Budgeting
Assist in preparing grant applications. Assist in preparing, writing, and maintaining fiscal budget. Monitor expenditures and prepare capital expenditure requests. Prepare, approve, and initiate check requests; track funding, maintain accurate balance, and resolve any discrepancies.
???Staff Leadership
May provide day-to-day functional leadership for a team or directly manage a minimal number of support staff. Establishes team goals. Gives input into, and performs employee performance reviews. Oversees and guides work assignments. Serves as the functional expert and provides guidance to the team.
???Education and Training
May serve as course master and develop new courses at the undergraduate and graduate level, including appropriate plans for evaluating student performance; may deliver lectures as a guest lecturer in courses organized by other faculty. Assist in the training of new employees. Serve as a resource and/or mentor to coworkers. Assist in the development and presentation of department training. Identify training needs and provide necessary coaching.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Required:
???Ph.D. in related discipline, MD, or equivalent degree

Preferred:
The ideal candidate will have a quantitative background in computational/systems biology, engineering, computer science, statistics, math, or a related field, and some experience in wet bench biomedical research. He or she will also (1) be a fluent programmer in at least one language (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB) and be willing to develop fluency in other languages, as needed, (2) have research experience in machine learning, bioinformatics and/or mathematical modeling, and (3) a trackable publication record. An enthusiasm and willingness to develop immunology expertise on the job is also necessary.
Unique Skills:
???Scientific Writing
Strong scientific writing abilities
???Programming - Basic
Working knowledge of computer programming
???Organization
Strong organizational and project management skills to handle projects independently.
???Time Management
Prioritization and time-management skills sufficient to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
???Analysis
Strong analytical skills with the ability to make judgments and recommendations based on statistical analysis