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Postdoctoral Fellow
Postdoc position in Microscopy, Cell Biophysics, Diabetes Research in Colorado Full-time
Overall Description
The Benninger lab is seeking to fill a postdoctoral research fellow position in the field of cell biophysics, microscopy and diabetes research, jointly between the Department of Bioengineering and the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The candidate will develop research projects related to the role of cellular heterogeneity and intercellular communication in the regulation of cell signaling dynamics underlying hormone release from the islets of Langerhans and dysfunction in diabetes.
Specific Position Details
The Benninger lab is a multidisciplinary team of scientists who broadly investigates the cellular mechanisms underlying the regulation of hormone secretion in the islets of Langerhans, how dysregulation to these mechanisms causes diabetes, and how these mechanisms can be targeted to develop new treatments for individuals with diabetes. A main focus is to take a multidisciplinary approach to understand how the islet functions as an integrated unit, which includes how heterogeneous insulin-secreting β-cells and other endocrine cells within the islet interact via electrical synapses and paracrine factors, as well as how they integrate with the surrounding vasculature and innervations. The lab is highly collaborative, working with other research groups across the Anschutz Medical Campus, at the at Boulder campus and with other institutions.
The ideal candidate will develop projects related to understanding the molecular basis of pacemaker-like cell populations in the islet; understanding the maintenance and temporal evolution of cell sub-populations; or understanding the mechanism governing electrical synapse plasticity within the islet. This will involve live cell imaging, molecular biology, gene transcription analysis and developing/utilizing a novel human pancreas slice platform. The candidate will also have resources and mentoring to develop their own research interests and to develop new research skills. They must be highly motivated and willing to learn new techniques and approaches, and able to work independently and in an interdisciplinary team of biological scientists, engineers and clinicians.
Further details of the Benninger lab can be found at benningerlab.com. For more specific questions about research projects, the nature of the position and duties, or any other enquiries or interest please contact Dr Richard Benninger: richard.benninger@cuanschutz.edu.