Research Associate-Fixed Term

Position Summary

The Postdoctoral Fellow will oversee a research project to test a novel therapeutic in a rat model of AD. The project involves expertise in animal models of AD/neurodegenerative disease, animal surgeries and treatments, behavioral assessments, and postmortem pathological analyses including histological, biochemical, and functional genomic/proteomic techniques. The Fellow will also be involved in other lab projects including 1) human tissue-based studies on mechanisms of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD, and 2) additional in vivo studies of vascular contributions to MCI and AD. Duties will include helping in the day-to-day operations of the lab, collaborative experimental design, conducting independent research, data analysis, presenting data at conferences, and writing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals. The applicant will also gain exposure in mentoring graduate students and other professional development opportunities to promote an independent career. This position is in Grand Rapids, MI.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Alzheimer's disease, Dementia, Neurodegeneration

Minimum Requirements

The position requires a doctoral degree in neuroscience (or a related program) focused on AD research including animal models of disease. Individual should be familiar with common biological laboratory research techniques and have a basic understanding of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and physiology. Applicants should be able to demonstrate his or her experience with conducting research studies independently, fundamental statistical analysis, and the preparation of results for publication as a scientific manuscript. At least one first author paper in a peer-reviewed journal is expected. 

Desired Qualifications

Experience with some or all of the following techniques is desired:  Rodent surgeries, treatments, and behavioral analysis; human and rodent tissue processing, immunohistochemistry, and microscopic analysis; stereologic procedures or machine-learning quantitative analysis; RNA sequencing and/or proteomics; advanced molecular biology and biochemical techniques such as cloning, gene regulation, and protein analysis; cell culture modeling; and statistical analysis including familiarity with R or similar programs. Highly competitive applicants will have multiple authorships including at least one first-author manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal.

Required Application Materials

Curriculum Vitae, Names of 3 references, 1-2 page statement highlighting past accomplishments and future goals.

Review of Applications Begins On

10/01/2025

Summary of Health Risks

Work with animals or unfixed animal tissue

Website

http://translationalscience.msu.edu/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.