Pre-Doctoral Fellow - Acquired Sensorineural Hearing Loss

We seek to better understand mechanisms and functional consequences of common causes of acquired sensorineural hearing loss and to translate that knowledge into improved diagnosis and treatment. Studies in the laboratory investigate how cochlear function is compromised by aging, by exposure to ototoxic noise and drugs, and how exposure-induced injury alters the way ears and hearing age, going forward. A major focus of our current work is in understanding how various common causes of acquired sensorineural hearing loss interrupt sensory-to-neural communications in the auditory periphery, what functional consequences arise because of that loss, and how the resulting degeneration can be manipulated pharmacologically to reveal mechanisms and suggest treatments.

The successful applicant, with PI support and involvement, will assess effects of cochlear injury on cochlear structure and function by advanced cochlear physiologic and histologic methods, analyze data and participate in reporting the results.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Read, analyze and summarize published literature

Design and execute cochlear physiologic and histologic procedures, including performance of advanced microscopy, immunohistochemistry and quantification in tissues from normal and pathological ears.

Undertake relevant coursework if required by mentor

Attend relevant meetings

Meet regularly with mentor to review project progress and milestones

Organize and present research findings

Write reports or submit manuscript(s) to a peer-reviewed journal describing the project and results

Additional duties as assigned

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree and prior experience with cochlear physiologic and histologic methods required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Lab setting.

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES:

High attention to detail

Critical thinker with effective decision-making capabilities

Practices safety at all times

Comfortable with various levels of responsibility with a desire to pursue additional learning opportunities and develop/take on new projects

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a fluency in English with the ability to effectively communicate with a variety of audiences

Must be highly accountable and able to work autonomously as well as part of a team

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

The employee shall interact at times with other investigators, lab staff, and medical professionals and shall maintain professionalism

Strict adherence to company guidelines pertaining to signed agreement on confidentiality of information, compliance with HIPAA, and adherence to organizational hierarchy

EEO Statement:

Mass General Brigham is an Equal Opportunity Employer & by embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law.