Post-doc position available – Institute for Drug Safety Sciences

The Institute for Drug Safety Sciences (IDSS) is located in Research Triangle Park, NC and directed by Dr. Paul Watkins, one of the leading experts in clinical drug-induced adverse reactions. Researchers within the IDSS utilize cutting-edge technologies to improve the understanding of toxicity mechanisms and mitigate the risk associated with adverse drug reactions. The IDSS has fostered alliances between the pharmaceutical industry, academia, and the FDA.

The translational pharmacogenomics group, led by Dr. Merrie Mosedale, is focused on the use of novel in vitro and in vivo platforms coupled with a systems biology approach to identify mechanisms and risk factors for adverse drug reactions.

Outstanding and motivated candidates are sought for a position exploring the utility of hepatocyte-derived exosomes to improve the prediction and understanding of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). The goal of this effort is to identify more sensitive, specific and mechanistic “biomarkers” for DILI to help improve patient safety and drug development. These studies are funded by a collaboration between the IDSS (Dr. Paul Watkins and Dr. Merrie Mosedale) and Janssen Pharmaceuticals as well as the Eshelman Institute for Innovation. Responsibilities will include design and implementation of in vitro studies to understand the influence of drug exposure and toxicity on the content and number of exosomes released from the liver as well as the ability of exosomes to alter the immune response of nonparenchymal cells. Data collection will utilize cutting-edge imaging and omics based approaches as well as molecular biology techniques. The successful candidate will have interactions with the investigative toxicology team at Janssen, as well as world class toxicologists, systems biologists, and cellular engineering experts at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. The initial appointment will be for one year, with the possibility of extension.

Ideal candidates will have hands on experience conducting cell culture studies and be proficient in molecular biology techniques including protein and gene expression analysis.

Extensive prior experience with transcriptomics and proteomics analysis is desirable but not essential.

Please note: The Equal Employment Opportunity office will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.