Postdoctoral Research Associate – Otolaryngology Full-time

Postdoctoral Research Associate

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Sheets Laboratory to investigate excitotoxic injury and recovery in sensory nerves using the zebrafish model. This project will examine how sensory hair cell synapses repair following excitotoxic damage and explore how innervating neurons recover from excitotoxic injury. The research will also investigate the role of the innate immune system in these injury and recovery processes.

Research Focus: The Sheets Lab investigates how traumatic injury affects sensory hair cells and innervating nerves, with a focus on identifying the cellular mechanisms that drive repair following damage. Our research integrates multiple experimental approaches—including transcriptomics, histology, genome editing, functional calcium imaging, optogenetics, and behavioral analysis—to address fundamental questions in auditory neuroscience. Experience in molecular biology, functional imaging, and/or behavior studies is strongly preferred.

Research Environment: Our lab is part of the Fay & Carl Simons Center for the Biology of Hearing and Deafness, a collaborative research community at WashU in St. Louis. WashU offers a vibrant and well-supported research environment with excellent opportunities for professional development and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assists with grant preparation and reporting.
• Prepares and submits papers on research.
• Assists in the design of research experiments.
• Evaluates research findings and assists in the reporting of the results.
• Conscientious discharge of their research responsibilities.
• Maintains conformity with ethical standards in research.
• Maintains compliance with good laboratory practice including the maintenance of adequate research records.
• Engages in open and timely discussion with their mentor regarding possession or distribution of material, reagents, or records belonging to their laboratory and any proposed disclosure of findings or techniques privately or in publications.
• Collegial conduct towards co-trainees, staff members and members of the research group.
• Adherence to all applicable University policies, procedures and regulations. All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated in University laboratories remain the property of the University.

Working Conditions: This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

Salary Range: Base pay is commensurate with experience.

Applicant Special Instructions: When applying, interested applicants should include a CV, a brief description of research interests and experience, and contact information for three references.

For more information please contact Lavinia Sheets, Ph.D.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications: Education: Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.

More About This Job: WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.

Preferred Qualifications: Skills: Collaboration, Data Analysis, Data Interpretations, Experimentation, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Techniques, Researching, Results Reporting, Scientific Writing.