Research Associate, Translational Research Fellow - Dept. Ophthalmology Visual & Anatomical Sciences
Posted on April 9, 2026 by Wayne State University
- Detroit, United States of America
- $nan - $nan
- Full Time
Research Associate, Translational Research Fellow - Dept. Ophthalmology Visual & Anatomical Sciences
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Research Associate, Translational Research Fellow - Dept. Ophthalmology Visual & Anatomical Sciences at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Essential functions (job duties):
Job Purpose:
Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, provide scientific and technical assistance to
complete laboratory based, clinical or population science research. May assist in writing research protocols and in manuscript preparation. Design and perform research protocols independently or as directed through training in more difficult or specialized procedures to meet the needs of the research protocol.
Essential Functions:
Perform laboratory based scientific techniques or clinical/population science (human subjects) research. Design and perform experiments, recruit participants for studies by developing surveys and interviewing candidates. Participate in implementing research objectives, ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory and protocol guidelines. Assist staff with experiments /research protocols as required. Communicate with principal investigator and Postdoctoral scholars/fellows on the status of research.
Collect and log laboratory results, clinical outcomes and/or survey data. Evaluate and perform data analysis using graphs, charts or tables to highlight the key points of the research results collected in accordance with the research protocols as stipulated. Proofread and edit research data and documents to ensure accuracy.
Prepare and present presentations regarding research results for professional, scientific and academic conferences. Summarize and organize data results for submittal to academic and scholarly, peer-reviewed journals. Write scientific manuscripts and other documents for publication. Fact-check, proofread, and edit research documents to ensure accuracy.
Maintain the laboratory work areas including routine maintenance on laboratory equipment as required. Order and organize required research supplies and records. Maintain cleanliness and organization of work station.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Unique duties:
Job Purpose: The purpose of this translational research fellowship is to enhance a highly qualified candidate, with a M.D. or Ph.D. degree, his/her clinical and translational ophthalmology research experience. After this training, the qualified candidate is expected to be competent in both clinical and translational research. Essential Functions: Work with retinal specialists in their retinal clinics to enhance the experience in retinal disease diagnosis, treatment, and patient care, and cultivate critical thinking in clinical settings. Work with current ophthalmology residents, fellows, and other practicing ophthalmologists in their clinics to enhance experience in different aspects of ophthalmology practice. Participate in ongoing clinical studies, including patient recruitment and data collection Under the supervision of mentor physicians, contribute to the design and execution of basic-science and translational projects using animal models and patient samples. Handle IRB and IACUC submission/amendment. Current and planned translational projects include cornea prosthesis (hydrogel) biocompatibility project, rabbit retinal transplant project, AAV-mediated in vivo VEGF gene knockout project, and other potential projects. Collect and log laboratory results, clinical outcomes, and/or survey data. Evaluate and perform data analysis using graphs, charts, or tables to highlight the key points of the research results collected in accordance with the research protocols as stipulated. Proofread and edit research data and documents to ensure accuracy. Prepare and present presentations regarding clinical and basic-science and translational research results for professional, scientific, and academic conferences. Summarize and organize data results for submission to academic and scholarly, peer-reviewed journals. Write scientific manuscripts and other documents for publication. Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree
Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study, preferred. Requires advanced knowledge, predominantly intellectual in character, in a field of science or learning acquired by a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction.
Experience: Experienced (minimum 2 years of job-related experience)
Experience performing basic research techniques, preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Ability to work independently. Ability to analyze, summarize and interpret research findings in reports and communicate results. Knowledge of scientific integrity principles. Excellent time management and organization skills. Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with others in a collaborative environment. Microsoft office software skills.
Working Conditions
Typical work environment may include a laboratory and/ or office environment. May require working non-standard business hours including evenings and weekends. May be required to travel to scientific conferences.
Preferred qualifications:
Education: Doctorate Qualified candidates must hold a M.D. or Ph.D. degree in genetics, neuroscience, molecular biology, biomedical engineering, or a related field. Experience: Experienced (minimum 2 years of job-related experience) Prior research experience in ophthalmology, vision science, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, molecular genetics, or a closely related field is required. Prior experience in CRISPR technology is preferred. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to work independently. Ability to analyze, summarize, and interpret research findings and data. Knowledge of scientific integrity principles. Excellent time management and organization skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and demonstrated ability to work with others in a collaborative environment. Laboratory techniques such as cell culture, PCR/qPCR, Western blotting, cryosectioning, tissue staining, and immunohistochemistry are required. Prior experience in rabbit or rodent models, AAV vector design and application, CRISPR/Cas mutagenesis, and single-cell RNA sequencing is highly preferred. Proficiency with relevant data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., R, MATLAB, or Python) is required.
School/College/Division:
H06 - School of Medicine
Primary department:
H0603 - Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences
Employment type:
- Regular Employee
- Job type: Full Time
- Job category: Research
Funding/salary information:
- Compensation type: Annual Salary
- Hourly rate:
- Salary minimum: TBD
- Salary hire maximum: TBD
Working conditions:
Typical work environment may include a laboratory and/ or clinical environment. May require working non-standard business hours, including evenings and weekends. May be required to travel to scientific conferences.
Job openings:
- Number of openings: 1
- Reposted position: No
- Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
- Prior posting/requisition number:
Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.
Advertised until:
May 9, 2026
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