The Department of Pharmacology at the University of Michigan Medical School is recruiting a Research Investigator to join the Sebag laboratory. The Sebag laboratory focuses on identifying new pathways involved in the control of energy and glucose homeostasis and discovering novel targets for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. The laboratory's main focus is understanding the role and mechanism of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) regulation by the Melanocortin Receptor Accessory Protein 2 (MRAP2). MRAP2 is a critical protein for the maintenance of proper energy and glucose balance. Deletion of MRAP2 causes obesity and insulin resistance, however, the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. The laboratory is also studying new regulators of insulin-stimulated glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation, using high throughput screening and structural biology.
The selected candidate's responsibilities will include but are not limited to conducting an independent research project and taking on general lab tasks, which involve the following: assisting in training and overseeing trainees; performing in vivo experiments, such as stereotaxic surgeries, behavioral assays, brain slice preparation, glucose tolerance tests (GTT), and insulin tolerance tests (ITT); using cell cultures and performing biochemical and pharmacology experiments in vitro, including cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) assays and western blots; designing, carrying out, interpreting, and analyzing experiments; presenting results at scientific meetings; writing and publishing results; and assisting the PI with grant applications as well as applying for independent funding.