UNIV - Postdoctoral Fellow in Cerebrovascular Pathophysiology - Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Medical University of South Carolina • Charleston, SC

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is seeking a highly motivated and talented postdoctoral researcher to join our team part-time. This position focuses on investigating the role of neurovascular unit dysfunction in brain aging and ADRD pathogenesis. In the US alone, 6 million individuals are affected by ADRD. By 2050, this number is expected to rise to 14 million, underscoring the urgent need to develop effective treatments. The repeated failures of clinical trials targeting amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide, a crucial component in AD pathology, highlight the urgent need to explore other aspects of ADRD. Recent studies have identified cerebrovascular impairment as an early biomarker, significantly influencing the disease's progression and the clinical manifestation of dementia. Despite recognizing this, most research in ADRD focused on neuronal pathologies. The successful candidate will leverage a systems biology approach and cutting-edge technologies—including cellular and molecular biology techniques, single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial proteomics, RNAscope, neuropathology, super-resolution confocal microscopy, and ADRD animal models—to investigate how the neurovascular unit changes in preclinical models.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in neurobiology, molecular cell biology, neuroscience, or other related fields.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid drivers license.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to work rotating shifts as required.
• Ability to work overtime as required.
• Ability to learn and use new processes, tools and equipment as required.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience with AD transgenic models, snRNA-seq, spatial proteomics, and confocal microscopy is highly preferred.
• Expert-level intellectual input to the research objectives and data interpretation of the PI’s projects.
• Ability to work independently in experimental design and project execution.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to train and supervise technicians and graduate students.

Responsibilities

• In consultation with the PI, design and execute experiments to advance independent research projects. S/he will be responsible for planning experiments, developing new assays and experimental models as needed, troubleshooting, data analysis and interpretation, and being able to incorporate the results into manuscripts and sections of grant proposals.
• Perform specific assays including histological procedures, quantitative RT-PCR, immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry assays.
• Conduct standard animal experiments, including handling transgenic mice and rats, intraperitoneal and tail vein injections, rodent general surgeries (specific surgical procedures can be learned and trained as needed), collecting animal brain tissues, IHC, and data analysis.
• Assist the PI in training and supervising graduate students, technicians, research assistants and junior lab members.
• Attend seminars, career development activities locally and nationally at conferences, submit abstracts and present data at local, national & international meetings.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree