postdoc for engineer w/fab in bio lab

from a collaborator -- if interested, please contact Prof. Lockery
directly: shawn@uoregon.edu
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Postdoctoral Position
Institute of Neuroscience
University of Oregon

Project title: Microfluidic devices for electro- and
optophysiological screening and analysis of new anthelmintics.

Description. There is an urgent and continuing need for new
anti-nematode drugs, known as anthelmintics. Anthelmintic drug
discovery efforts have not kept pace with emergence of
anthelmintic-resistant strains in humans and economically important
livestock. This problem arises because resource-limited countries do
not support markets that can offset the enormous cost of drug
development, estimated to be on the order of $800 million per drug.
Anthelmintic screening strategies have not changed significantly in
almost 50 years. The proposed research addresses this problem by
combining microfluidics and electro- and optophysiology to screen
drug candidates and identify their biological targets simultaneously.
We currently have proof-of-concept for microfluidic devices that
allow one to record changes physiological activity in nematodes upon
delivery of candidate anthelmintics. The main activities of this
position will be (1) to scale these systems up to tens to hundreds of
simultaneous recordings, (2) to develop automated data analysis
strategies for interpreting the effects of candidate drugs, and (3)
to demonstrate the practical utility of these novel systems.

Degree. PhD in engineering (bio-, electrical, mechanical, or chemical).

Qualifications. The main qualifications are a track record of
inventiveness and out-of-the box thinking in the design,
construction, and testing of novel devices. Prior experience in
microfabrication (esp. soft lithography and/or bio-MEMS), optics,
time-series data analysis, and/or image processing would be
considered a plus.

Funding. The project is funded by the National Institutes of Health
via the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA). Support is
guaranteed for two years with the possibility of longer term funding
as the project advances, including commercial ventures.

Starting date. In keeping with the spirit of the ARRA, the position
is available immediately, but the goal is to fill the position by 15
January 2010.

Contact. Dr. Shawn R. Lockery, Associate Director, Institute of
Neuroscience, 1254 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA. E-mail:
shawn@uoregon.edu.