Placental Pathology Unit

Placental Pathology Unit

Wayne State University

Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH

National Institutes of Health/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH/NICHD) in partnership with Wayne State University; Detroit, Michigan, conducts clinical and translational research in obstetrics and perinatal medicine.

Wayne State University (WSU) is committed to enlarge its program in Placental Pathology, whose goal is to characterize the frequency and clinical significance of human placental lesions; and to elucidate mechanisms which cause these lesions and thereby have consequences in maternal and fetal health and disease.

The Placental Pathology Unit is an important component of the Perinatology Research Branch (PRB) of the Division of Intramural Research, NICHD, NIH, DHHS, which is housed at the Wayne State University campus.

The Perinatology Research Branch is a NIH clinical and translational Branch devoted to the study of human pregnancy and its complications. The Branch has an international reputation for excellence in research and has made major contributions to the understanding of the mechanisms of disease responsible for pregnancy complications, developed diagnostic tools, treatment, and prevention of pregnancy complications. The PRB has clinical units in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Biomarker discovery, Single cell genomics, Perinatal Microbiology, Perinatal Immunology, Fetal Imaging, Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computational Biology, and Placental Pathology.

The research environment is fast-paced, multi-disciplinary, and the Branch has state-of-the-art facilities for molecular pathology, including confocal microscopy, and imaging modalities for the performance of high-dimensional pathology.

This unit applies techniques of molecular pathology to the study of normal and abnormal placentation. The successful applicant should have an M.D. degree or M.D./Ph.D., have completed a residency training in surgical pathology, and have demonstrated experience with the nosology of placental lesions.

Experience and expertise in the methods of placental sampling, gross and histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry, in-situ hybridization, and immunofluorescence are required. Familiarity with state-of-the-art methods for optical imaging (such as confocal an intravital microscopy) is desirable. The successful applicant is expected to support the program of molecular pathology of the placenta and an experimental component focused on the biology of trophoblast and fetal membranes in normal pregnancy, as well as in parturition.

The primary focus is the conduction of original research with a strong interdisciplinary component. The team includes maternal-fetal medicine specialists, neonatologists, geneticists, other pathologists, scientists, as well as residents and fellows. The applicant is expected to participate in clinical pathological conferences, and teach surgical pathology of the placenta to residents, fellows, and other members of the research team.

Excellent written and oral communication skills are required to disseminate results of research at scientific meetings and to write scientific papers.

The Placental Pathology Unit offers an exceptional opportunity for academic growth for individuals committed to the pursuit of academic excellence. Applications from the U.S and non-U.S. graduates are welcome.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Interested individuals should apply to www.hr.wayne.edu and apply to posting number 044716 as well as sending the items below:

•           a curriculum vitae

•           a separate statement summarizing experience and professional contributions and

•           a list of three references

Wayne State University is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high quality education.  Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities preparing students for success in a diverse, global society.  WSU encourages applicants from women, people of color and other underrepresented people.  WSU is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.