Neurodegenerative Disease Senior Scientist

Job Description

Job Description

Parallel Squared Technology Institute (PTI) is a non-profit research institute developing technologies, reagents, and computational tools to increase the sensitivity and throughput of protein analysis, with a specific focus on single-cell proteomics. We are applying these innovations to societally-relevant areas of biomedical research. As part of these efforts, we are developing new approaches to study protein dysfunctions in Alzheimer’s and related neurodegenerative diseases.

Summary of Position

We are seeking scientist and senior scientist candidates to help drive our efforts to use single-cell proteomics to understand the causes of Alzheimer’s and related neurodegenerative diseases.  Ideal candidates will have expertise in the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration and  direct, hand-on  experience in single-cell analysis, computational biology, and brain tissue handling. 

Candidates will have the opportunity to work as part of an interdisciplinary team in multiple areas, including on NIH-funded projects, using proteomic technologies developed at PTI to discover new molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s and related disorders.  Day-to-day responsibilities include designing and carrying out experiments to isolate and profile single cells from brain tissue, computationally analyzing large-scale single-cell proteomics datasets, preparing manuscripts and presentations, mentoring junior scientists, and regular meetings with collaborators in and outside of PTI. Candidates will initially work on ongoing projects but will have the opportunity to design and lead their own projects as well.  

Candidates with less than 1 year of postdoctoral experience will be considered for the scientist position and those with more than 1 year of experience will be considered for the senior scientist position. 

About PTI

PTI is a nonprofit, focused research organization (FRO) established through Convergent Research.  FROs aim to accelerate progress across science and technology by tackling large-scale problems with the potential to unlock existing bottlenecks in specific research areas.  PTI aims to achieve a 100-1000x increase in the scale of proteomic analysis.  To do so, we are developing new technologies and approaches for mass spectrometric proteomics.  This includes molecular barcodes, termed “mass tags” that enable sample multiplexing, as well as computational approaches for increasing the sensitivity of protein analysis.  We aim to apply these advances in societally-relevant areas, with a specific focus on neurodegenerative disease.  To do so, we are collaborating with leaders in neurodegenerative disease from around the world.  To learn more about PTI’s approach for studying neurodegenerative disease, please visit this page.  To learn more about our technology for increasing the throughput of protein analysis, please visit here.  

Researchers at PTI have the opportunity to work within an interdisciplinary team of mass spectrometrists, chemists, computational analysts, and biologists to push the boundaries of protein analysis. PTI supports professional development through educational opportunities such as travel to conferences workshops.  

Members of PTI receive industry-level resources to lead research projects and have the opportunity to disseminate their discoveries and innovations through high-visibility publications, presentations, and submissions to public data portals.  

• Design and execute research projects using single-cell proteomics to understand the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s and related disease. 
• Computationally analyze large-scale, single-cell proteomic datasets to identify new molecular mechanisms of disease.
• Collaborate with external laboratories, brain banks, and tissue repositories on sample procurement.
• Prepare human brain tissue samples for proteomic analysis using methods and technologies developed at PTI.
• Help junior scientists gain expertise in experimental techniques used at PTI, analyzing and interpreting experimental results, recording data in laboratory notebooks, and writing up and presenting research results.
• Make regular presentations within PTI and to collaborators.
• Prepare manuscripts related to project outcomes and grant applications for external funding.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.
• Other duties as assigned.

• PhD Neuroscience or a related field.
• Direct, hands-on experience in preparing human brain tissue for downstream analyses. 
• Direct, hands-on experience with single cell analysis.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, record keeping ability, and attention to detail.

• Experience in high throughput or automated tissue sample collection, preparation, and analysis, particularly with human brains.
• Experience with mass spectrometry proteomics.
• Fluency in R or Python, particularly in the context of single-cell analysis.

• An opportunity to change the world and work with some of the smartest and the most talented experts from different fields.
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance with many $0 premium options for you and your family with several national and regional providers. Most employees have more than 20 plan options to choose from.
• Company-paid group life, AD&D, long- and short-term disability insurance
• 15 days PTO + 10 sick days per year
• 18 company holidays + your birthday off
• $5,000 per year educational reimbursement
• Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave

We aim to help fill a structural gap in today's R&D system. We enable fundamental research that requires unusual levels of scale and coordination yet is not rapidly monetizable by industry. We’re bringing together top talent from academia, industry, and startups to build a new model for innovative R&D. As an incubator within the Schmidt Futures Network, we identify high-impact scientific or technical research and development opportunities, ultimately defining and launching these projects as Focused Research Organizations.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law or company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.