Michigan State University Post Doctoral Research Associate in Comparative Ophthalmology
Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
Job Title/Position: Post Doctoral Research Associate in Comparative Ophthalmology
Supervisor: Simon Petersen-Jones DVet Med, PhD, DECVO, Hon ACVO member
Salary: $54,242 per year, generous benefit package and vacation time.
Anticipated Position period: July 2025-July 2026, with possibility to extend to a two-year position
Posting Snapshot:
The Petersen-Jones laboratory will be seeking a highly motivated veterinarian with a strong interest in ophthalmology to work as a member of a team of veterinarians and scientists developing and testing translational therapies for restoration of vision.
Position Summary:
The laboratory maintains and utilizes various canine and feline colonies of large animal models for visually impairing retinal diseases. There are ongoing NIH funded studies of gene, drug and cell-based therapies that show promise in treating retinal dystrophies and for translation to treat human subjects. The laboratory is very well equipped for in vivo retinal imaging (Heidelberg Spectralis with OCT-A capabilities, RetCam Video Fundus cameras and Micron Fundus camera) and visual functional testing (Espion Electrophysiology Unit, Diagnosys and purpose-built vision testing apparatus) as well as standard ophthalmic examination equipment. Additional equipment includes ophthalmic operating microscopes with video attachments and vitrectomy machines as well as full ophthalmic microsurgery packs allowing a range of intraocular interventions such as subretinal injections and subretinal implantation.
The individual will be actively involved in the management and implementation of several ongoing studies investigating therapies with these models. They will be actively involved in both phenotyping of the ocular conditions and therapeutic interventions for treatment of retinal dystrophies. They may also be asked to assist the campus veterinarians in the general veterinary care of the colony. Analysis and interpretation of the collected data and the writing of reports is required. Some supervision of laboratory students and graduate students may be required and close collegial collaboration with veterinary and laboratory technicians, post-docs and other clinicians/scientists is expected. This position could suit someone aiming for a future ophthalmology residency position, ophthalmic research career or both. The individual will be able to present their work intramurally and will also be supported for travel to present any pertinent research stemming from their work at national or international ophthalmology meetings. Application for intramural grants, and for travel fellowships to scientific meetings will be encouraged and are intended to help the candidate in developing skills in grantsmanship.
While the position is primarily a research position, if desired, there are many opportunities to practice and improve upon skills that are required of ophthalmology residents in-training. The individual will have access to microscopes and microsurgical instruments to practice extraocular and ocular surgery and to participate in journal club, resident rounds and other vision related seminars. Michigan State University is expected to have 5 veterinary ophthalmologists at the time of position onset (including 4 DACVO, and 1 DECVO, Hon ACVO member). Depending on preference the fellow may be able to spend time with the other ophthalmologists through collaborative research projects and at the clinic.
Those that are interested are strongly encouraged to express their intent to apply for this position. Virtual interviews for this planned position will be conducted as early as December 2024, as offers may be made shortly after the ORCA residency offers on the 27th January, 2025.
Required Degree: DVM, VMD or equivalent. The candidate must be eligible for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in Michigan, including a Clinical Academic Limited license and Controlled Substance license.
Minimum Qualifications: A veterinary degree and a 12-month clinical internship or private practice experience treating animals. Knowledge and interest of veterinary ophthalmology is required.
Individuals must be citizens of the US, Canada, or Mexico, or currently possess authorization to work in the US.
Desired Qualifications: Prior experience with the treatment of ophthalmic conditions, intraocular surgery, retinal electrophysiology and advanced retinal imaging would be advantageous. Technical writing skills and a track-record of authoring scientific publications and preparing reports is desired.
Work Hours: Standard 8 AM-5 PM with infrequent holiday and weekend hours as needed
Physical Demands/Health Risks? Yes
If yes for physical demands/health risks, please select all that apply:
Works with animals and unfixed animal tissue
Please express an interest in this position now:
To express an interest in this position please send a CV and letter of interest to Emily Flanner, project administrator at the Petersen-Jones lab flannere@msu.edu. Once the position is officially opened and being formally advertised all those who have expressed interest will be contacted to invite a full application.
Please feel free to reach out directly to Simon-Petersen Jones, or Billie Beckwith-Cohen with any questions about this position. We will both be attending ACVO this year, along with other members of the laboratory and will be happy to discuss this opportunity with you.
Simon Petersen-Jones, DVet Med, PhD, DECVO, Hon ACVO member, peter315@msu.edu
Billie Beckwith-Cohen, DVM, MBA, PhD, FAAO, DACVO, billiebc@msu.edu
About Michigan State University:
Michigan State University is located on one of the nation's largest and most beautiful campuses, and the University is home to a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists, teachers and leaders. East Lansing’s collegiate atmosphere is complimented by low cost of living with convenient access to large cultural centers such as Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Detroit and Chicago. East Lansing and surrounding communities provide excellent public-school systems. In addition, Michigan, the Great Lakes State, with its numerous inland lakes and rivers, state and national parks, national lakeshores, world-class golf courses, and ample snowfall offers a broad variety of seasonal outdoor recreational activities. Visit the Pure Michigan© website Pure Michigan | Official Travel & Tourism Website for Michigan for more details.