H240501
Mentor: Dr. Edmund Arthur, Department of Optometry and Vision Science
A full-time postdoctoral position is available immediately in the retinal imaging biomarker development research laboratory of Dr. Edmund Arthur at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Optometry and Vision Science to study novel retinal biomarker development for Alzheimer’s disease and diabetic retinopathy. The position will be for one year with the possibility of an extension for another year depending upon research progress. Research in Dr. Arthur’s lab is funded by 5 grants including: NIH/NIA R21, Genentech Career Development Award via The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), McKnight Brain Research Foundation, and two pilot grants from UAB. The postdoctoral fellow will also have opportunities to work on investigator-initiated projects, develop own research within the overall goal of the laboratory, and collaborate with the highly interactive scientific community at UAB.
The Arthur lab focuses on clinical investigations on the early detection, referral, monitoring of disease progression, and management of diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, and Alzheimer’s disease using advanced retinal imaging modalities such as Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT), OCT Angiography (OCTA), Blue Autofluorescence imaging, and Dual Wavelength (Blue-Green) Autofluorescence imaging.
Currently the lab is pursuing two major areas of research:
- Novel Retinal Biomarker Development in Early Alzheimer's Disease. The goal of this research is to quantify and validate two novel retinal biomarkers for early Alzheimer’s disease detection and monitoring of disease progression known as the retinal mid-peripheral capillary free zones (CFZs) and putative retinal gliosis. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37828548/; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38696189/)
- Characterizing Retinal Tissue Oxygenation, Structure, and Function in Diabetic Retinopathy. The goal of this research is to use non-invasive OCTA imaging modality to develop the retinal mid-peripheral CFZs as novel retinal vascular biomarkers for early diabetic retinopathy detection and disease monitoring. We will also quantify associations between the retinal mid-peripheral CFZs, inner retinal layer thickness, and photopic negative response (PhNR) on electroretinogram. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31042789/; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34341456/)
The UAB School of Optometry is among the few optometry schools that are a part of an academic medical center and is consistently ranked among the top three optometry schools nationally in research funding. The Department of Optometry and Vision Science at the UAB School of Optometry offers a strong supportive research environment in both laboratory and clinical settings. The UAB vision community is extensive, consisting of over 70 faculty members in the UAB Vision Science Research Center. This center provides extensive Core facilities to all UAB vision researchers through support from an NEI P30 core grant. UAB also has a vibrant neuroscience community with a network of more than 450 UAB neuroscience research faculty, clinicians, staff, students, and trainees.
Qualifications
Successful candidates will be responsible for planning and conducting innovative research and contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge within either project. Candidates must have a doctoral degree (OD, MD, and/or PhD) or foreign equivalent in Optometry, Ophthalmology, Vision Science, Neurobiology, Neuroscience, or a related discipline. Preferences will be given to creative and motivated candidates with excellent written and verbal communication skills and a demonstrated ability to work with patients in a clinical or research setting. Experience in retinal imaging and electrophysiology is desirable, as is proficiency in analytical software and computer programming, but highly motivated candidates with alternate experience are also encouraged to apply.
Applications
Interested candidates should submit
1. a curriculum vitae,
2. a cover letter describing research background, interests, and career goals, and
3. contact information of three references.
Consideration of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
The salary will be commensurate with experience and NIH guidelines. Please send applications or questions to Dr. Edmund Arthur at
About our Postdoc Office
UAB is committed to the development and success of outstanding postdoctoral scientists. Here at UAB, nearly 300 postdoctoral fellows are training currently in a variety of disciplines. Competitive postdoc awards are available including internships, grant incentives, funds to enhance education and collaboration outside UAB, and teaching opportunities at local universities. There is also a Postdoc Research Day with monetary awards. The Office of Postdoctoral Education strongly encourages UAB research mentors to follow the National Research Service Award stipend level guidelines, and postdoctoral scholars qualify for health, life, and other insurances. They also have the right to participate in the university’s 403(b) program and enjoy vacation, sick leave, maternity/paternity leave, and other benefits.
About the University
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a research university and academic health center that discovers, teaches, and applies knowledge for the intellectual, cultural, social, and economic benefit of Birmingham, the state, and beyond. UAB is internationally renowned for its intensely collaborative culture that has — for more than five decades — produced breakthroughs in education, health care, research, and service. UAB was ranked #1 in the United States, and in the top 10 worldwide, in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2018 Young University Rankings.
Spanning more than 100 city blocks, UAB is the state of Alabama’s largest single employer with nearly 28,000 employees and has an annual, state-wide economic impact of $12.1 billion. U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 “America’s Best Graduate Schools” ranks 16 UAB graduate programs among the nation’s top 25 and eight UAB specialties were ranked among the nation’s top 50 in the magazine’s 2022-2023 Best Hospitals report. UAB research grants and awards are at a record high, totaling $715 million in FY22 — a 50% increase over the past five years. UAB ranks 33rd among all universities in federal research funding and 17th among public universities. UAB's NIH funding continues to grow among peer institutions in the Southeast and beyond, with the university ranking 25th among all universities in NIH funding and 11th among public universities.
UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and veteran’s status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB’s Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.
For more information on Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action at UAB, visit the UAB Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion opens a new website, call (205) 934-8762, or contact the office at 701 20th Street South, AB 336, Birmingham, AL 35294-0103.