In this role, you will have the opportunity to conduct research related to fetal origins of health disease and in particular how placenta shapes nutrient sensing of pancreatic beta-cells. We perform high fat diet (HFD) feeding studies in mice to induce weight gain during pregnancy, and in animal models of obesity and diabetes during pregnancy and assess the metabolic outcome of the offspring across lifespan. 

Responsibilities Include:
Research- 70%
⢠Conduct animal (rat and mouse) handling, husbandry, breeding, colony maintenance, behavioral testing, including, but not limited to metabolic phenotyping (i.e., spontaneous physical activity, energy expenditure), body composition, food intake and preference measurements, and cognitive and anxiety/addiction potency testing.
⢠Inject various compounds and solutions into experimental animals.
⢠Assist with and eventually independently perform surgery and perfusions on experimental animals.
⢠Collect tissue and fluid samples (e.g., body fat, brain tissue, blood) from experimental animals; store and analyze the tissue (e.g., ESLISA kits, PCR, immunohistochemistry, estrous classification).
⢠Prepare buffers, reagents, and other solutions and test for pH level. 
⢠Keep meticulously detailed records of all experiments and procedures in a laboratory notebook; perform statistical analyses of data obtained from experiments and render interpretations of the data.

Operations - 20%
⢠Keep the laboratory stocked, maintain inventories of supplies and order items as necessary.
⢠Properly handle hazardous materials and dispose of all waste materials in an appropriate manner. 
⢠Maintain chemical inventories and read and maintain appropriate Material Data Sheets and safety files.
⢠Adjust, calibrate, and perform minor repairs on equipment used in the laboratory.
⢠Become familiar with the assigned literature, attend weekly lab meetings, participate in laboratory journal clubs, and report to the PI regularly on progress.
⢠Assist and eventually independently write study protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs) manuscripts and grant applications.

Presenting and Instruction - 10%
⢠Present research summary in national and international meetings in oral and poster format by preparing abstracts and slides for presentation.
⢠Instruct students, fellows and other inexperienced professional persons in proper laboratory methods and procedures.

Required Qualifications:
⢠A Doctorate Degree (PhD, which is completed within the last 3 years) in Physiology
⢠Previous lab experience in mouse pancreatic islet isolation, islet and trophoblast seahorse, and in vivo metabolism.
⢠Knowledge of the basic principles of biological science is required to assess observations, prepare specimens, run a variety of behavioral and biological assays, interpret the results of standardized tests, etc.
⢠Sufficient knowledge of the physiology of rats and mice is necessary in order to induce anesthesia, perform surgeries, and collect tissue and/or fluid samples
⢠Must possess or be able to readily obtain certification to perform animal studies and procedures
⢠Sufficient knowledge of mathematics and statistics is required to analyze and interpret test results.
⢠Knowledge and skill sufficient to maintain and operate standard instruments (fluorescence microscopes, pH meters, etc).
 

Preferred Qualifications:
⢠Prior experience with rodents, human placenta, seahorse, primary mouse islets isolation ( an experience isolation adult and neonates islets is necessary)
⢠Rudimentary knowledge of common histological preparations is advantageous to prepare tissues for examination, seahorse, primary mouse and human islets
⢠Experience with manuscript and grant writing is a plus.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

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