Position Title: Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Duties & Responsibilities: Centre for Quantitative Medicine in the Office of Clinical Sciences at Duke-NUS, with the Singapore Eye Research Institute, invites applications for a post-doctoral fellowship focusing primarily on “Identification of Genetic Biomarkers for Disease Progression in Angle Closure”. Lay abstract below. Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) a major form of glaucoma in Singapore and Asia. The disease is classified into three stages: primary angle closure suspects (PACS), primary angle closure (PAC) and PACG. Longitudinal observational studies report progression rates of angle closure from PACS to PAC and/or PACG ranging from 19.4% in 5 years to as high as 33% in 3 years. It is still not known why certain individuals with the disease progress from the early stages to blindness. As laser treatment may prevent PACG from developing, it is important to know which PACS subjects are at greatest risk of progressing to the severe stage of disease. Performing laser in all PACS eyes may not be cost effective as many eyes would probably never develop progressive disease. Studies have shown that there is a genetic predisposition to developing PACG. Recently, we identified three genes that give risk of having PACG. In this study we plan to test whether these recently identified PACG genes are also involved in progression of disease. Using these genetic biomarkers we may be able to identify subjects at risk for disease and/or progression, and thereby aid in addressing treatment to this group of especially at-risk patients. Furthermore our discoveries on novel genetic risk factors will have potential to influence clinical guidelines for screening and diagnosis of angle closure disease and have a broad impact on public health and health economics This research scholar position provides full funding without any teaching requirements at a competitive salary for 2 years with a possible extension to 3 years.

Position Qualifications: A PhD in statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology or related field is required. Criteria for selection include demonstrated research ability in statistical analysis and/or investigative ophthalmology. Verbal and written communication skills are also important. Women and members of under-represented minority groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

Salary Range: Competitive, commensurate with experience.

Benefits: Eligible to receive medical health benefits and housing subsidy.

Web Site: http://www.duke-nus.edu.sg, http://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/content/haaland-benjamin, http://www.seri.com.sg/, http://www.snec.com.sg/

Application Address: Applicants must email a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references to benjamin.haaland@duke-nus.edu.sg.

Contact Email: benjamin.haaland@duke-nus.edu.sg

Application Deadline: until filled