A post doctoral position is immediately available for an individual to focus on the failure strengths of focal adhesions in smooth muscle and neurons. The goal of this project is to determine the relative vulnerabilities of vascular smooth muscle and neurons (both the soma and neurites) to explosive trauma using in vitro assays. These traumatic injuries will be simulated in vitro with specialized assays already in development. The applicant should have experience in cell and tissue culture, immunostaining, biophysical measurements of the mechanical properties of cells, and experience with traction force and high speed fluorescent microscopy.
Applicants should have a doctorate in biophysics, biomedical, or mechanical engineering with a publication record in cell mechanics. The applicant should forward their CV, and three example publications in PDF format. Three letters of recommendation should be forwarded immediately.
Professor Kit Parker
Disease Biophysics Group
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Harvard University
29 Oxford Street, Pierce Hall 321
kkparker [at] seas.harvard.edu (kkparker[at]seas[dot]harvard[dot]edu)