Senior Research Scientist- Neurology

The Ohio State University•Columbus, OH

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Research Scientist is responsible for developing, leading, and executing a nationally competitive research program focused on neurodegeneration within the Department of Neurology, while supporting the development of a new multidisciplinary platform, NeuroMAP (Neurodegenerative Mapping and Phenotyping). This highly specialized position requires significant scientific independence and direct accountability for advancing the research mission, establishing collaborative programs, and managing core research operations. The individual provides scientific leadership and day-to-day operational oversight of NeuroATLAS (Advanced Tissue Light-Sheet Microscopy Analysis and Segmentation) under the direction of the NeuroATLAS Director. The primary responsibility of this role is to contribute to the acquisition of extramural funding by generating innovative research data, providing subject-matter expertise, and serving as a co-investigator or collaborator on grant proposals submitted to federal agencies, foundations, and other external sponsors. The individual develops and leads independent and collaborative research initiatives aligned with NeuroMAP priorities and generates preliminary data to support competitive funding applications. The position plays a critical role in the establishment, growth, and scientific advancement of NeuroMAP, with particular emphasis on the development and operation of NeuroATLAS. The individual supports advanced three-dimensional tissue phenotyping across the entire research workflow, including tissue clearing, multiplex immunolabeling, light-sheet microscopy, AI-enabled image analysis, and multi-organ data integration. In addition to leading innovative research efforts, the individual contributes to laboratory and core facility development through space planning, laboratory build-out, workflow design, equipment acquisition and implementation, method validation, and the development of standardized operating procedures. Responsibilities encompass the full research lifecycle, including the conception and testing of original scientific hypotheses; the design, execution, and optimization of complex experimental protocols; the development of novel methodologies and technologies; and the analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of research findings. The individual performs rigorous statistical analyses, evaluates large and complex datasets, and serves as an author and contributor to peer-reviewed manuscripts, conference abstracts, technical reports, and other scholarly publications. The individual is responsible for maintaining compliance with all applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations governing laboratory operations, including chemical hygiene, biosafety, radiation safety, and environmental health and safety requirements. The position also provides operational leadership for the laboratory and NeuroMAP facility, including oversight of equipment maintenance, inventory management, procurement activities, and quality assurance processes. In addition, the individual is expected to foster interdisciplinary collaborations, identify new research partnership opportunities, and contribute to the strategic growth of NeuroMAP and NeuroATLAS. The role includes direct supervision, mentorship, and professional development of research staff, postdoctoral scholars, residents, trainees, and students, ensuring the successful execution of research programs and the cultivation of a collaborative and innovative research environment.

Requirements

Doctorate degree (Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent terminal degree) in Biology, Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Engineering, or a closely related discipline, with advanced expertise in a relevant scientific field.
Substantial experience in high-resolution imaging, tissue clearing techniques (e.g., SHIELD, CLARITY, iDISCO), light-sheet microscopy, and biomedical image analysis.
Demonstrated expertise in independently establishing, optimizing, troubleshooting, validating, and standardizing advanced imaging and tissue-processing workflows.
Ability to independently lead advanced imaging and tissue-processing operations while providing supervision, mentorship, and training to research staff and trainees.
Successful completion of a background check.

Nice To Haves

Preference given to experience in neurodegeneration, neuroimmunology, aging, or related research areas.
Experience with quantitative image analysis, machine learning applications, and the generation, quality control, integration, and interpretation of complex multimodal datasets is strongly preferred.
Qualified candidates may be required to complete a pre-employment physical examination, including a drug screening.

Responsibilities

Developing, leading, and executing a nationally competitive research program focused on neurodegeneration.
Supporting the development of a new multidisciplinary platform, NeuroMAP (Neurodegenerative Mapping and Phenotyping).
Providing scientific leadership and day-to-day operational oversight of NeuroATLAS (Advanced Tissue Light-Sheet Microscopy Analysis and Segmentation).
Contributing to the acquisition of extramural funding by generating innovative research data, providing subject-matter expertise, and serving as a co-investigator or collaborator on grant proposals.
Developing and leading independent and collaborative research initiatives aligned with NeuroMAP priorities.
Supporting advanced three-dimensional tissue phenotyping across the entire research workflow, including tissue clearing, multiplex immunolabeling, light-sheet microscopy, AI-enabled image analysis, and multi-organ data integration.
Contributing to laboratory and core facility development through space planning, laboratory build-out, workflow design, equipment acquisition and implementation, method validation, and the development of standardized operating procedures.
Conceiving and testing original scientific hypotheses.
Designing, executing, and optimizing complex experimental protocols.
Developing novel methodologies and technologies.
Analyzing, interpreting, and disseminating research findings.
Performing rigorous statistical analyses and evaluating large and complex datasets.
Serving as an author and contributor to peer-reviewed manuscripts, conference abstracts, technical reports, and other scholarly publications.
Maintaining compliance with all applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations governing laboratory operations.
Providing operational leadership for the laboratory and NeuroMAP facility, including oversight of equipment maintenance, inventory management, procurement activities, and quality assurance processes.
Fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and identifying new research partnership opportunities.
Directly supervising, mentoring, and providing professional development for research staff, postdoctoral scholars, residents, trainees, and students.