Postdoctoral Fellow in Advanced Ocular Drug Delivery Nanoparticles

Project: Drug Loaded Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) for the treatment of retinoblastoma
Project description: Retinoblastoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in children. Although traditional chemotherapy has shown some success in retinoblastoma management, there are several shortcomings to this approach, including multidrug resistance, low therapeutic efficiency, nonspecific targeting, and the need for adjuvant therapy, among others. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important biological information carriers that mediate local and systemic cell-to-cell communication under healthy and pathological settings. These endogenous vesicles have been identified as important drug delivery vehicles for a variety of therapeutic payloads, including chemotherapy with significant benefits over traditional techniques. The Ciolino Lab of Schepens Eye Research Institute at Massachusetts Eye and Ear lab initiated a project to use EVs as natural drug delivery particles of chemotherapy for targeting retinoblastoma cells. This approach is envisioned to open new venues for treating retinoblastoma with minimal side effects.

We are seeking a highly motivated and autonomous postdoctoral fellow to continue this project and investigate the long-term impacts of chemotherapy-loaded EVs on different retinoblastoma models. The postdoctoral fellow will be involved in the formulation, development, optimization, and testing efficacy of the EVs against retinoblastoma. EVs isolation, drug loading, and in-vitro and in-vivo efficacy testing will be essential in bringing the developed system to first-in-human clinical trials. The postdoctoral associate will author scientific manuscripts, lead grant writing efforts, and present at field-specific conferences

Profile: Candidates with Ph.D. or MD/Ph.D. degree in Biotechnology, Cell biology, Drug delivery systems, or a related field are encouraged to apply. Strong knowledge of extracellular vesicles and drug delivery is required. Experience with eye drug delivery and in-vivo studies preferred.

The following experimental expertise is required: Cell culture, EVs drug loading and isolation, PCR, western blot, confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry. Good written and oral communication skills and independent ability to design and execute experiments. Independent funding is not required but would be considered favorably. Meticulous attention to detail, excellent oral and written communication skills, and outstanding organizational skills are required. For details and how to apply email Dr. Ciolino