Post Doctoral Fellow

The Laboratory of Molecular Neurosurgery at Weill Cornell Medical College is recruiting post-doctoral fellows to work on mechanisms of and consequences of pathology spread from the gut to the brain in models of Parkinson’s disease.  This will primarily use viral vectors to genetically manipulate specific populations of neurons to examine their role in the spread of disease throughout the nervous system along with behavioral studies to correlate specific symptoms with particular circuit pathology.  This project is part of a newly funded program with investigators from other leading international research centers led by this laboratory.

Post-doctoral Training

This project will offer opportunities for training and research accomplishment using a diverse group of technologies and methods, including molecular biology and cloning, cell culture and viral vector production and purification, in vitro assays of gene action, surgical methods for targeting gene delivery in the brain and periphery, sophisticated and complex behavioral assays including motor, cognitive and affective behaviors as well as assays of metabolism and other peripheral functions, imaging of neuronal function in live animals and advanced histological and microscopic assays for neuronal circuit function and gene expression, including fluorescent and confocal microscopy, RNAScope and iDisco.  The fellow will also participate in various meetings within the lab and in the broader collaborative group, likely including external meetings of funding organizations and at national neuroscience meetings.  The Laboratory of Molecular Neurosurgery, led by Dr. Michael Kaplitt, helped to develop the field of neurological gene therapy over 30 years ago and continues to provide an outstanding educational environment for scientists interested in translational research for neurological disorders.

Weill Cornell Medical College is the medical and biomedical graduate arm of Cornell University.  Located on the upper east side of Manhattan in the City of New York, Weill Cornell Medicine is within a complex of leading institutions, including the Rockefeller University and Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, that provides virtually unmatched opportunities for research collaboration and excellence within immediate proximity.  Neuroscience is a major focus of Weill Cornell Medicine, with additional resources available at Cornell University, particularly within the nationally recognized Department of Biomedical Engineering, which is home to two faculty members who are also collaborators in this specific project.  Salary and benefits for post-doctoral fellows at Weill Cornell were recently adjusted to reflect the needs of the local market and to provide competitive compensation to outstanding candidates. 

The laboratory is seeking one or more post-doctoral fellows for this fully funded position who are highly self-motivated, energetic, ambitious and collegial.  In addition:

• Candidates must possess a PhD or equivalent in neuroscience, behavioral neurobiology, molecular biology  or related field. 
• Experience in small animal surgery and behavior and/or advanced microscopy and histological techniques would be a major advantage
• Prior background in gene therapy techniques are not required but would be an additional advantage, although in the absence of any of the above, this alone is unlikely to be beneficial
• Experience specifically with models of Parkinson’s disease would be beneficial but is not required
• Fluency in English writing and conversation is required.

Interested candidates should send a letter describing their relevant background and interest in this position, a CV including bibliography and contact information for at least two references to Michael Kaplitt, MD PhD, Professor of Neurological Surgery and Vice-Chairman for Research in the Department of Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine (kaplittrecruitment@med.cornell.edu)