Details
Open Date 07/08/2025
Requisition Number PRN42426B
Job Title Research Scientist
Working Title Research Scientist
Job Grade F
FLSA Code Professional
Patient Sensitive Job Code? No
Standard Hours per Week 40
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Shift Day

WORK SCHEDULE SUMMARY

Monday – Friday
VP Area U of U Health - Academics
Department 00267 - Ophthalmology-Services
Location Campus
City Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment External Posting
Pay Rate Range $65,00.00 - $80,000.00
Close Date 10/08/2025

JOB SUMMARY

The Pitha Lab at the John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, is seeking a motivated and independent PhD-level Research Scientist to lead and expand research programs focused on the development of novel glaucoma therapeutics and implants. Our lab integrates cutting-edge molecular biology, advanced biomaterials, and in vivo models to understand and manipulate cellular interactions with the extracellular matrix in the context of glaucoma surgical wound healing and scleral remodeling.
This position will contribute to the scientific design, execution, interpretation, and dissemination of high-impact research projects. The successful candidate will operate as a PI/co-PI on projects, mentor junior lab members, and engage in grant and manuscript preparation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD in molecular biology, biomedical engineering, vision science, or a related field.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques including PCR , immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. Interest in advanced techniques such as single cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics is preferred.
• Proficiency and willingness to work with in vivo animal models, especially models of glaucoma and glaucoma surgery.
• Experience or interest in studying biomechanical stress (e.g., cell stretch assays) and mechanosensation is strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication skills and a commitment to mentorship and collaborative research.
• Demonstrated ability to develop independent research projects.
• This position is research-focused and does not involve direct patient care. The Research Scientist will be expected to demonstrate appropriate knowledge and sensitivity for vision science research in aging populations.

Problem Solving

• This position may be involved with problems requiring modifications of scientific methods. This position is required to efficiently manage technicians and students as well as to allocate resources to address the needs of ongoing research studies.

Essential Functions
Develops scientific research projects and acts as a principal investigator or co-principal investigator.
Researches and stays current with project related scientific literature.
Sets up new methods or assays to accomplish scientific objectives.
Identifies and implements creative solutions to overcome problems.
Organizes, interprets data and derives study conclusions.
Manages and trains research staff to achieve research goals.
Collaborates with internal and external investigators on multiple research projects ensuring scientific significance and feasibility.
Summarizes results of research studies in the form of scientific abstracts and manuscripts.
Serves as a resource to provide scientific information needed for various initiatives.
Contributes to teaching activities by preparing and presenting educational seminars.
Assists with grant preparation by researching background, significance and planning statistics.
Attends national conferences and presents results of clinical studies.