Postdoctoral Associate

Position Details

Position Information


Recruitment/Posting Title
Postdoctoral Associate


Job Category
Staff & Executive - Research (Laboratory/Non-Laboratory)


Department
RWJ - RINTS


Overview


New Jersey's academic health center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) takes an integrated approach to educating students, providing clinical care, and conducting research, all with the goal of improving human health. Aligned with Rutgers University-New Brunswick and collaborating university wide, RBHS includes eight schools, a behavioral health network, and five centers and institutes that focus on cancer treatment and research, neuroscience, advanced biotechnology and medicine, environmental and occupational health, and health care policy and aging research.

Our faculty are teachers, clinicians, and scientists with unparalleled experience who advance medical innovation and provide patient care informed by the latest research findings. We offer an outstanding education in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, biomedical research, and the full spectrum of allied health careers.

Our clinical and academic facilities are located throughout the state-at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, including Piscataway; and at locations in Newark, Scotch Plains, Somerset, Stratford, and other locations. Clinical partners include Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Newark's University Hospital in Newark, and other affiliates.

Through this community of healers, scientists, and scholars, Rutgers is equipped as never before to transform lives.

Posting Summary


Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate for the department of Neurology at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

The mission of the lab is to follow a network-based approach to understand the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (mainly Parkinson's disease and secondarily Alzheimer's disease), with the ultimate aim being to utilize this strategy to develop combination treatments. This strategy distinguishes our lab from a decades-long tradition in the field of zeroing in on specific genes and focusing on the development of monotherapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Simultaneously, the lab aspires to remain at the cutting edge in terms of cellular and molecular biology techniques and to advance the neurodegeneration field by developing innovative tools and technologies that we will share with the research community. To achieve those goals, we are currently using mammalian cell lines (including stable cell lines) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSc) as model systems, as well as human brain tissue. We also undertake extensive computational analyses of confocal microscopy images and -omics datasets. Some of the techniques we use include standard cell and molecular biology techniques, flow cytometry, microscopy (standard imaging and FRET, FLIM, FRAP), high throughput genetic and chemical screens, single cell and spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, genomics, optogenetics and histology. Lab website: eleannakaralab.com

This Postdoctoral Associate position is intended for someone with experience in wet lab techniques with a focus on neurodegenerative diseases who is interested in further developing their expertise while contributing to cutting-edge research in our lab.

Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Eleanna Kara, the incumbent will work on a project in a laboratory dedicated to studying the molecular pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease. S/He will work in a new lab as part of a highly integrated research team utilizing a variety of laboratory technologies, analytic tools and approaches. Appropriate training in all techniques necessary for the project will be provided. The incumbent must have a genuine interest in research and in the work undertaken in our lab and be committed to improving their research skills and progressively developing research competence; those attributes will be assessed during the interview. Exceptional support will be provided to the recruit in that direction, and it is anticipated that the incumbent will take full advantage of the training and professional development opportunities provided. The applicant will join in ongoing research projects. Contributions to our research will be appropriately acknowledged through co-authorship on published manuscripts.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Carry out studies with cultured cell lines and iPSc derived neurons.
• Optimize assays to model and study specific disease processes of neurodegenerative diseases and miniaturize them to enable high throughput screens.
• Perform high throughput genetic and chemical screens.
• Perform proteomics, lipidomics, genomics and transcriptomics experiments and analyses, in collaboration with core facilities at Rutgers.
• Undertake histology, genetics and biochemistry experiments on human neuropathological materials.
• Perform molecular biology experiments that involve cloning of specific cDNAs in various vectors including viral vectors, PCR, sequence analyses, transcription assays, Western blotting, DNA-protein interaction, and cell biologic studies.
• A suitably qualified candidate with a background in computer science/mathematics will also undertake bioinformatics analyses of imaging, genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics data, as well as statistical analyses of biological data and any other types of analyses that might arise.
• Work conductively with other members of the lab and collaborators from within Rutgers and elsewhere.
• Analyze data, organize them and present them at laboratory meetings and scientific meetings
• Help prepare manuscripts for publications.
• Communicate with vendors of research reagents and core facility personnel.

FLSA
Exempt


Grade

Salary Details

Minimum Salary
20,000


Mid Range Salary
90,000


Maximum Salary
200,000


Offer Information


The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits


Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status
Full Time


Working Hours

Standard Hours
37.50


Daily Work Shift

Work Arrangement


This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.

Union Description
Post Docs - Regular Salaried


Payroll Designation
PeopleSoft


Seniority Unit

Terms of Appointment
Staff - 12 month


Position Pension Eligibility
ABP

Qualifications


Minimum Education and Experience

• PhD in a neuroscience or biology-related discipline.
• Candidates in ABD (all but degree) status will also be considered.
• Previous relevant research experience is required.

Certifications/Licenses

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must be familiar with techniques such as DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR, Gel electrophoresis, cell line and iPSc-neuron cultures, Fluorescence and Confocal microscopy and associated imaging analysis and Western blotting.
• Must be able to operate standard laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, culture hoods, incubators, PCR machines, shaking incubators and plate readers.
• Must have basic skills in Microsoft Office Excel, Word, and Powerpoint.
• Must have good wet lab skills and be comfortable working independently under the direction of the Principal Investigator.

Preferred Qualifications

Equipment Utilized

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Physical Demands: The incumbent needs to be physically capable of performing the above duties, including pipetting, measuring weights and volumes accurately, standing on feet and walking to other buildings on the campus. Occasionally, certain heavy items in the laboratory may need to be lifted, such as small equipment, boxes and bottles. H/She should communicate his/her research plans and findings verbally and in writing in proper English to the team and to the scientific community in presentations and publications.
• Work Environment: On-site laboratory environment.

Special Conditions

Posting Details


Posting Number
26ST2017


Posting Open Date

Special Instructions to Applicants

Regional Campus
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)


Home Location Campus
Piscataway (RBHS)


City
Piscataway


State
NJ


Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings


All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements
Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement


It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: