Research Associate-Fixed Term

Position Summary

The Department of Translational Neuroscience (TN) seeks a postdoctoral scientist (research associate) for its newest research group. This research group is part of the Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s research teams housed in Translational Neuroscience at the Grand Rapids Research Center. The candidate will receive a highly competitive salary package above the NIH pay scale and commensurate with the experience.

Dr. Shreesh Sammi, a federally funded principal investigator (PI), studies the interplay between environmental toxicants and dopaminergic and other neurons across multiple model systems. He is seeking a postdoctoral scientist to join his team. The postdoctoral scientist will work on projects to identify mechanisms of PFAS-associated neurotoxicity and assess their role in the development of Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Development of medium-to-high throughput studies for screening/identification of environmental toxicants, promising drug candidates, and RNAi for identifying phenotypes/mechanisms specific to neurodegenerative disorders will also be collaboratively undertaken between the PI and postdoctoral scientists.

Applicants should have experience in molecular biology techniques, gene expression, and genetics. Prior experience working with neuronal cell culture, inducible pluripotent stem cells, and/or C. elegans models is desired.  Expertise with rodent models is also sought, as results from cellular and invertebrate models will be translated to higher-order vertebrates. While prior training on iPSCs or C. elegans is desirable, candidates with expertise in other model systems or interest/background in the field of molecular biology, neurotoxicology and neurodegenerative disorders are encouraged to apply. The PI is committed to training successful applicants in areas where they lack such expertise. The ideal postdoctoral candidate should have a strong passion for pursuing research in neurodegenerative disorders and, be proficient in experimental design, execution, data analyses, and have excellent written and communication skills as they will be expected to prepare, present, defend, and publish the results of the team’s research. As senior members of the research group, postdoctoral scientists will also help oversee and mentor graduate and undergraduate students while advancing their own training. 

The PI and the Department of Translational Neuroscience are committed to ensuring postdoctoral scientists receive high-quality mentoring and career development based on stated long-term interests and goals. The PI and collaborating department faculty will coach postdoctoral scientists to help them attain their own research support (through fellowships and grants), facilitate networking opportunities, provide resources for travel to scientific meetings, and ensure that their career development activities align with their stated goals. 

Robust mechanisms such as TN-Individual Development Plan Committee (TN-IDP) are in place within the department committed to the postdoctoral fellows' outstanding professional growth. The TN-IDP comprises 5 TN senior faculty members, a postdoctoral fellow, and a graduate student representative. Each mentee in the department meets biannually with their mentor and two assigned faculty liaisons from the TN IDP committee, with the goal of developing a structured plan entailing the management of mentor/mentee expectations, facilitation of communication and problem-solving, and identification of areas for professional development and promotion of research excellence and rigor. TN departmental funding and additional training resources are also provided for professional development activities. Members of the Sammi Lab regularly travel to present their research at international research conferences such as the Society of Toxicology and the Society for Neuroscience. 

For the candidate without a C. elegans background, it will be a promising opportunity to learn a new model system and add versatility to the skill set. Proper training will be provided in the experimentation and culture of C. elegans. 

The position is in the vibrant city of Grand Rapids, MI, in the new, state-of-the-art Grand Rapids Research Center within the Grand Rapids Innovation Park on the Medical Mile. 

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 -Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Neurotoxicology, Models of Neurodegeneration

Minimum Requirements

• A doctoral degree in a biomedical research discipline, including a minimum of 4 years of experience in a research laboratory, is required.
• Candidate should be acquainted with common biological laboratory research techniques and have experience in neurobiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, physiology, animal and cell modeling, and/or neurodegenerative disease biology, particularly Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s disease.
• Applicants should be able to have critical thinking and analytical skills along with experience in conducting research independently.
• Applicant must work well in a team-oriented environment. At least one recent first-author paper in a PubMed-indexed, peer-reviewed journal is expected.

Desired Qualifications

• Training/experience in neurotoxicology, and neurodegenerative disease research, particularly Parkinson’s disease.
• Experience with one or more of the following techniques is also desired:  
  • 1) Molecular biology and protein biochemistry techniques such as cloning, gene regulation, recombinant protein, protein, gene knockdown approaches or
  • 2) Enzyme activity assays or
  • 3) small rodent studies, including husbandry, stereotaxic surgical procedures, behavioral (motor and/or cognitive) analyses, gene therapy-based approaches to express or knockdown genes, and necropsy or
  • 4) Microscopy techniques, including, confocal microscopy, standard brightfield/fluorescence microscopy; and/ or
  • 5) monoclonal antibody production, validation, and application in biochemical and immunohistological assays or
  • 6) In silico techniques to discern toxicant-target interactions. All applicants should have an understanding and experience applying statistical analysis. 

Required Application Materials

• Curriculum Vitae,
• Names and email addresses of 3 or more references,
• 1–2 page statement highlighting past accomplishments and future research and career goals.

Review of Applications Begins On

10/17/2024

Summary of Health Risks

Work with animals or unfixed animal tissue

Website

https://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.