Job Description:

Post Doctoral Fellowship in Wound Healing Regulatory Mechanisms in Skin Fibroblasts
Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
Start date: TBD
Position Number: 34110

Project Overview: We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Post Doctoral Fellow (PDF) to join our research team and contribute to an exciting project focused on understanding the regulatory mechanisms of wound healing. The project is designed to address questions dealing with the skin wound healing in mice with specific regulatory genes of interest and with a focus on fibroblast populations. We will assess identify the regulatory mechanisms involved in wound healing using mouse transgene models, primary fibroblast cultures using adenoviral gene transfer, as well as single-cell RNA-Seq with confirmation in primary cells - and thus prior experience in the field of fibroblast biology, as well as some or all of these experimental models is very helpful. The project design is focused primarily on the interaction of alpha-1 antitrypsin, Scleraxis and SKI on skin wound healing. The project is funded by the CIHR with collaborators located in Winnipeg and in international labs.

The Post Doctoral Fellow position is expected to be a full-time appointment for a period of 2-3 years, with a possibility of extension depending on the subject to project progression. Salary will be commensurate with experience and the University of Manitoba salary scale.

Responsibilities:

• Target Validation: The successful candidate will verify the cell type-specific expression of selected pathway components identified through scRNASeq using qPCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting. Additionally, the successful candidate will conduct functional assays, including knockdown and overexpression experiments using siRNA and adenovirus, to assess the effects on cellular migration, proliferation, apoptosis, and fibroblast contractility.

• Experimental Design and Replication: The PDF will design experimental protocols and ensure proper replication of experiments and will work daily with primary fibroblast cell culture and transgenic mice. Careful consideration will be given to controlling variables and accounting for the small number of biological replicates associated with scRNASeq.

• Single-Cell RNA-Seq Analysis: The PDF will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating single-cell RNA sequencing experiments on tissue samples from wounded areas of mice with different genetic models and controls in collaboration with the staff at the core facility at the U of Manitoba. The PDF will work with the in-house personnel at the core facility to oversee the isolation of single cells, generating single-cell libraries, and performing quality control measures on the sequencing data.

• Bioinformatics Analysis: The successful candidate will collaborate with the University of Manitoba Statistical Genomics and Bioinformatics Platform to analyze the sequencing data. The Fellow will use bioinformatics tools, such as Cell Ranger, Seurat, and Partek, to process the raw sequence reads, identify differentially expressed transcripts, conduct gene set enrichment analysis, and annotate dermal cell types based on marker genes.

• Data Deposition and Reporting: The Fellow will be responsible for depositing all generated datasets in the Gene Expression Omnibus and producing regular progress reports and presentations to the research team.

Qualifications:

• PhD in Physiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Bioinformatics, or related fields.
• A strong background in fibroblast biology (cell lines or preferably primary fibroblasts from rodent models) as well as single-cell RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis.
• Experience with statistical analysis and data visualization tools commonly used in genomics research (e.g., R, Python).
• Familiarity with tissue culture techniques and primary cell isolation will be a key advantage.
• Knowledge of wound healing biology and experience working with mouse models.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented research environment.

Additional Information:

The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic and collaborative research team based at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Research will be done out of the St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre at 351 Tache Avenue, working under the supervision of Ian Dixon. Our research group offers a stimulating and supportive environment for professional growth and development.

The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities). All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact UM.Accommodation@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-7195. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.

An inclusive, open and diverse community is essential to excellence and fosters voices that have been ignored or discouraged. To address the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and in recognition of the underrepresentation of members of historically and currently excluded groups, we take proactive measures including implicit bias training for all hiring panels. We strive for diversity and cultural safety throughout the hiring process (hiring panels, short-list of candidates, interviews). We encourage you to self-identify any aspect of diversity in your cover letter.

Interested candidates should submit their application, including a cover letter detailing their research experrience and interest in the project, a curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references who have worked with the candidate, or who know the candidate's work well.

Application Contacts:

• Ian Dixon Department Head - Physiology & Pathophysiology Rady Faculty of Health Sciences - Max Rady College of Medicine Email: ian.dixon@umanitoba.ca
• Judith Olfert Administrative Assistant - Physiology & Pathophysiology Rady Faculty of Health Sciences - Max Rady College of Medicine Email: judith.olfert@umanitoba.ca

We look forward to welcoming a passionate and dedicated Post Doctoral Fellow to contribute to our exciting research project and advance our understanding of wound healing regulatory mechanisms.

Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provision of The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae may be provided to participating members of the search process.