Post Doctoral.Post Doctoral.Associate

%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EThe University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurology is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate%3C/strong%3E to join a translational neuromuscular research group studying the mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and related motor neuron disorders. The postdoctoral associate will lead the laboratory’s human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) and mouse-model programs, developing and characterizing patient-derived and genetically engineered models of ALS and motor neuron disease to investigate disease mechanisms including axonal transport, RNA metabolism, and protein mislocalization (e.g., TDP-43 and KIF5A biology). The successful candidate will design and execute experiments independently, analyze and present data, prepare manuscripts and figures, and contribute to grant applications. The postdoctoral associate will also supervise and mentor a laboratory research technician and other junior lab members, and will help direct the day-to-day experimental operations of the iPSC and mouse-model efforts. This is a full-time, in-person position; experimental timelines (stem cell differentiation, live-cell imaging, and animal work) require consistent daily presence and flexibility outside standard hours. The position offers strong mentorship toward research independence, including grantsmanship and manuscript development, within the University of Pittsburgh’s outstanding ALS, neurodegeneration, and cytoskeletal-biology research community.%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EEssential Functions%3C/strong%3E:%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E1. Lead and conduct research in iPSC and mouse models of ALS/motor neuron disease (70%)%3C/strong%3E:%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E%26nbsp;• %3C/strong%3EEstablish, maintain, and differentiate human iPSCs into motor neurons and other relevant cell types; develop patient-derived and isogenic/engineered disease models.%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E• %3C/strong%3EDesign and perform experiments including cell/tissue culture, molecular biology, biochemistry, and live-cell and confocal imaging; analyze data using tools such as Fiji, Imaris, GraphPad Prism, MATLAB, and Python.%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%26nbsp;%3Cstrong%3E•%3C/strong%3E Develop and characterize mouse models of ALS/motor neuron disease, including design of experiments in longevity, behavior, and neuropathology.%3Cstrong%3E%26nbsp;%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E•%3C/strong%3E Interpret results, prepare figures and manuscripts, present at lab meetings and scientific conferences, and contribute to grant applications.%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E• %3C/strong%3EMaintain detailed, rigorous records of experimental procedures and data.%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E2. Supervision, mentorship, and lab leadership (20%)%3C/strong%3E:%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E• Supervise, train, and mentor a laboratory research technician and junior lab members in experimental techniques and good laboratory practice. • Coordinate and prioritize day-to-day experimental operations of the iPSC and mouse-model programs.%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E• Oversee protocol adherence, data integrity, and reproducibility across supervised work.%3Cstrong%3E%26nbsp;%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E3. Compliance and other duties (10%)%3C/strong%3E:%26nbsp;%3Cstrong%3E%26nbsp;%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E•%3C/strong%3E Assist in IACUC and IBC protocol development, compliance, and approvals.%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E•%3C/strong%3E Contribute to lab organization, ordering, and maintenance of a safe laboratory environment.%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E•%3C/strong%3E Perform other duties as assigned or as the position requires. Qualifications:%3Cstrong%3E%26nbsp;%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E• PhD (or equivalent) in neuroscience, cell biology, molecular biology, biomedical science, or a related field.%26nbsp;%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E•%3C/strong%3E Required: hands-on experience with human iPSC culture and neuronal (ideally motor neuron) differentiation, and experience with mouse models of neurodegeneration or a related in vivo system.%3Cstrong%3E%26nbsp;%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E•%3C/strong%3E Required: strong foundation in molecular biology and cell biology; fluorescence/confocal microscopy and quantitative image analysis.%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E•%3C/strong%3E Preferred: CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and generation of isogenic iPSC lines; experience with ALS/motor neuron disease biology, axonal transport, or RNA-binding protein (e.g., TDP 43) biology.%3Cstrong%3E%26nbsp;%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E•%3C/strong%3E Demonstrated record of scientific productivity, independence, rigor, and the ability to train and supervise junior personnel.%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E• Excellent record-keeping, interpersonal, and communication skills.%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3EQualified candidate must have a%26nbsp;%3Cstrong%3E PhD (or equivalent) in neuroscience, cell biology, molecular biology, biomedical science, or a related field.%26nbsp;%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp style=%22margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;%22%3E%3Cstrong style=%22-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:%26quot;Open Sans%26quot;, %26quot;Segoe UI%26quot;, Frutiger, %26quot;Frutiger Linotype%26quot;, %26quot;Dejavu Sans%26quot;, %26quot;Helvetica Neue%26quot;, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13.02px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;%22%3EQualified candidates should use requisition #26005527 at this link: Home | Talent Center: Careers at Pit | University of Pittsburgh%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.

Job Details
Job Description: Med-Neurology, Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh
Assignment Category: Full-time regular
Campus: Pittsburgh
Child Protection Clearances: Not Applicable
Required Attachments: Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae