Postdoctoral Associate

The Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate to work on projects investigating the central role of mitochondria in aging and neurodegeneration, including Huntington’s Disease. The Associate will function independently in this position that requires strong molecular biology skills. Postdoctoral Associate will design, organize, and conduct highly specialized and advanced experiments using established scientific protocols and procedures as well as designing new protocols. Duties assigned to this position may involve organizing and implementing complex research plans, developing research methodologies, as well as data collection, analysis, and evaluation. Furthermore, the Postdoctoral Associate will summarize findings and publish results in research journals, submit fellowship applications, contribute to PI grant applications, assume general responsibility for scientific laboratory operations and provide supervision and guidance to junior technicians, students, and researchers. The duties will require independent discretion and judgment in carrying out research activities within the predetermined research scope and methodology.

Responsibilities/Duties As a team member of the Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, the Postdoctoral Associate's key responsibilities/duties will be the following:

• Develop short and long-term research plans to investigate the research questions in the major project assigned by the PI.

• Implement short and long-term research plans, including performing and troubleshooting all required experiments.

• Provide short and long-term research support, specifically but not exclusively in the area of molecular biology, to the other members of the Neuroapoptosis laboratory team.

• Collect, prepare and analyze research data, including periodical pertinent scientific literature search, keep a detailed notebook summarizing experiments, record research data and maintain a computer database of research data.

• Display data for presentation in research conferences and use graphics and statistical software to analyze and present data and participate/assist in manuscript writing for publication in scientific journals. Assist in grant writing.

• Supervise other personnel in the laboratory to coordinate research efforts for increased efficiency and participate in the training of fellows, residents, students, and volunteer workers as needed.

• Assist with ordering of supplies as needed and general lab maintenance, including equipment maintenance.

• Additional duties as assigned. Selection Criteria: Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge, and/or experience that the candidate would need to demonstrate for the successful execution of the responsibilities/duties of this position. Applications will be assessed based on how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

• A doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in neuroscience or related field with a strong emphasis on molecular biology.

• Demonstrated expertise in molecular biology including cloning, primer design and optimization, sequencing, and gene editing including but not limited to CRISPR technology.

• Demonstrated understanding of the requirements for the successful execution of a research project.

• Ability to generate new ideas and links and builds upon existing ideas to generate unique concepts and solutions.

• Ability to fulfill the academic writing requirements for scientific publications.

• Animal work experience.

Applicants should apply through Talent Center at https://www.join.pitt.edu using Requisition No. 220009243.

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