Neuropathology Research Scientist Brain and Body Donation Program

Banner Health

17d•Onsite

About The Position

The Neuropathology Research Scientist will join the Banner Sun Health Research Institute Brain and Body Donation Program (BBDP), a multidisciplinary research program studying aging and neurodegenerative diseases. The role offers an opportunity for an early-career scientist to develop an independent research program using a longitudinal clinicopathological cohort and associated human brain and body tissue collections, clinical and neuropsychological evaluations, neuropathology, genetic, imaging, and biomarker data. Research focuses include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Lewy body disorders, and related neurodegenerative conditions. The position combines scientific research with technical and administrative responsibilities in anatomical pathology. It includes conducting and supervising human postmortem examinations, managing tissue banking and research requests, integrating clinical and pathological information, and overseeing the training and performance of pathology technicians and other laboratory staff. The scientist will work with internal and external investigators, clinical and research teams, program participants, donors, and families, and contribute to scientific publications, presentations, grant applications, collaborations, and the growth of the BBDP research program. The position is based at Banner Research in Sun City, Arizona. The listed schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the minimum qualifications also specify willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends on call.

Requirements

Ph.D. in neuroscience, neuropathology, pathology, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline; the posting also lists a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree as a minimum qualification.
Approximately 3–4 or more years of postdoctoral research experience; the minimum qualifications specify at least four years of relevant postdoctoral experience.
Strong background in anatomy and histology.
Demonstrated expertise in neuropathology and neurodegenerative disease research.
Strong record of peer-reviewed publications, including first-author manuscripts.
Excellent scientific writing, analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary research teams.
Ability to communicate scientific concepts effectively to investigators, research staff, study participants, donors, and family members.
Ability to supervise and train staff.
Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality regarding specimens and laboratory findings.
Ability to maintain good rapport with departmental personnel.
Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends on call.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with human tissue specimens and clinicopathological datasets is strongly preferred.
Experience studying Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Lewy body disorders, or related neurodegenerative conditions.
Prior experience contributing to grant applications or obtaining research funding is welcomed but not required.
Ph.D. and additional education or experience in biomedical research involving human tissue.
Eligibility for a faculty appointment at the Assistant or Associate Professor level.
Additional related education and/or experience.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead research projects on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Lewy body disorders, and related neurodegenerative conditions using BBDP cohort resources and associated datasets.
Analyze and integrate multidisciplinary data and biospecimens to investigate disease mechanisms, resilience, progression, and clinicopathological relationships.
Lead and contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations, grant applications, and collaborative research initiatives.
Work with clinical and research teams to incorporate participant outcomes, longitudinal clinical observations, and neuropathological findings into research studies.
Serve as a scientific resource for investigators, staff, participants, donors, and families; explain research objectives and findings and address research-related questions in collaboration with program leadership.
Contribute to BBDP scientific initiatives and partnerships across academia, industry, and nonprofit organizations.
Supervise preparatory logistics for human postmortem examinations, including gathering perimortem clinical information, arranging cadaver transportation, retrieving medical records, consulting with pathologists, and alerting department leadership to unusual or hazardous conditions.
Supervise and perform postmortem examinations, including external examination, in situ organ inspection, evisceration, and dissection; record organ weights, body fluids, and gross findings; identify and describe gross pathology; and select and submit tissue and body-fluid samples for research banking and diagnostic use.
Maintain autopsy findings and tissue records in databases.
Fill research tissue requests and provide related clinical and pathological data; advise researchers on subject and tissue selection; search inventories, retrieve and dissect tissue, supervise cryostat sectioning, arrange shipping, document requests, and update inventories.
Photograph or supervise documentary photography of bodies, organs, microscopic slides, and other relevant materials.
Gather and organize clinical information, prepare preliminary clinical-history summaries, and supervise or prepare written reports of gross autopsy findings.
Perform administrative, personnel supervision, and training duties related to anatomic pathology, histology, research projects, and tissue-banking protocols.
Maintain essential equipment and adequate supplies and ensure cleanliness and orderliness of the autopsy suite, laboratory, and tissue storage facilities.
Perform related work that may include animal surgery, histological procedures, microscopic slide or data analysis, scientific literature review and summary, and writing scientific reports and publications.
Maintain confidentiality regarding specimens and laboratory findings and work with internal and external customers, including scientists, vendors, couriers, and specimen-delivery professionals.