Clinical Postdoctoral Fellow - Regulatory Biology Laboratory, Dr. Satchidananda Panda at Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California

Job Description:

Job Summary

This postdoctoral position will supervise and perform human epidemiological, clinical intervention, and observational studies related to circadian rhythms and eating patterns in Satchin Panda’s lab at the Salk Institute.

 1) Supervisory 

The postdoc will directly supervise clinical coordinators, research assistants, programmers, data scientists, and trainees in RBIO-P lab working on human circadian rhythms and nutrition timing related studies. S/he will also manage ongoing collaborations and set up new collaborations with other national and international labs. S/he will be responsible for hiring new staff to account for staff turnover, train new staff, manage data and samples, oversee knowledge transfer between staff and prepare manuals of operations for applicable projects.

2) Regulatory compliance 

The postdoc will maintain and design clinical and observational research projects and protocols to be carried out from Salk or in collaboration with other labs. They will ensure these protocols comply with international, national and state laws, submit protocols to the respective institutional review boards at Salk and at collaborating institutes and synchronize these protocols with the ClinicalTrials.gov website. They will ensure annual renewal and compliance of these protocols.

3) Experimental

The postdoc will oversee sample and data collection from human subjects in various studies, tabulate and analyze data from vitals, clinical samples, wearables, apps and surveys. They will analyze data, interpret outcomes and prepare reports.

4) Grant and manuscript preparation 

The postdoc will assist the PI and collaborators in preparing grant applications for federal and non-federal funding agencies. They will play a large role in manuscript preparation including writing full drafts, editing, or writing sections of manuscripts depending on the project. They are also expected to write independent fellowship applications.

EXPERIENCE

 Required:

• Relevant research experience including (but not limited to): circadian rhythms, cardiometabolic health, nutrition, and/or human clinical trials

Preferred:

• Deep knowledge of circadian rhythm demonstrated by publications in the field.


• Experience with human clinical trials involving dozens of participants undergoing behavioral and/or pharmacological interventions. Preferably cohorts of more than 100 participants.


• Experience in preparing IRB documents, patient recruitment, onboarding, and patient retention is essential.


• Experience in the collection and analyses of human circadian, sleep, activity, and nutrition data collected for more than 7 days.


• Training and supervising undergrads, technicians, clinical coordinators, and computer programmers/data scientists.


• Familiarity with statistical analysis tools.


• Experience in writing NIH and non-NIH grant applications involving human subject research.

EDUCATION

 Required:

• PhD. in biomedical science or allied fields. Preference will be given to candidates who have received their PhD in the last 24 months.

 Preferred:

• Postbaccalaureate Certificate in business administration, cognitive science, nutrition, or data science.


• Or MPH degree.

 SKILLS AND ABILITIES

 Required:

• Demonstrated ability to conduct and oversee independent research. This includes the ability to (a) develop, maintain, execute, and complete research projects of varying size and scope; (b) critically read, understand, and extract information from published medical, chemical, and biological literature to prepare background information for scientific abstracts, manuscripts, lectures, and grant proposals; (c) perform basic data and statistical analysis; and (d) produce high-quality abstracts, manuscripts, lectures, and grant applications.


• Ability to independently design experiments and debug protocols.


• Ability to manage and track large numbers of samples meticulously without mix-up or cross-contamination.


• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and work independently.


• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with both PC and MAC operating systems, standard business office equipment, and commonly used software and tools, such as Microsoft Office, electronic mail, and the internet.


• Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; interact with all levels of management and employees across multiple departments.


• Ability to communicate and act as a liaison with a diverse audience of professionals. Demonstrated ability to supervise and train students and other technicians.


• Ability to analyze and interpret data and assist with writing scientific papers and grants.


• Ability to review the scientific literature and apply to experimental design


• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify problems and develop innovative solutions.


• Excellent written skills and knowledge of the English language, including grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation.


• Excellent oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, effectively, tactfully, and patiently in person, on the telephone, and in writing to a diverse group of people (including researchers, health care providers, patients, research participants, administrators, and industry representatives) in the academic, scientific, medical, and commercial communities.


• Ability to maintain and develop successful collaborations with other labs nationally and internationally.

Preferred:

• Theoretical knowledge of circadian rhythm sciences; concepts in circadian rhythms across kingdoms, entrainment pathways and mechanisms, circadian output rhythms.


• Theoretical knowledge of nutrition science including the impact of quality, quantity, and timing of nutrition on various health parameters.


• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with overseeing the development and deployment of mHealth platforms including health app, websites, integration of wearables in mHealth platform analyses.

 

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces diverse perspectives and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community comprises a diverse and talented group of individuals, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

What We Can Offer

The full postdoctoral salary range for wet lab opportunities is $70,000-$77,500 (see below). This range covers the entire postdoctoral training period; recent Ph.D. graduates should expect an offer at or close to $70,000 (minimum of the salary range). Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Experience Level/TierSalk Postdoc Salary0$70,0001$71,5002$73,0003$74,5004$76,0005$77,500

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk’s pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym “I CARE” provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

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