Postdoctoral Research Associate - Neurology

Position Summary

A Postdoctoral Research opportunity to perform basic and translational research in motor neuron disease is available in the laboratory of Dr. Cindy Ly (Department of Neurology).

The focus of the Ly Lab is to develop novel biofluid biomarkers and discover therapeutic targets for motor neuron disease including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). We employ a multimodal strategy that leverages basic cell culture and animal models as well as patient biosamples to translate findings to human disease. The laboratory is actively involved in ALS postmortem tissue biobanking and biofluid collection efforts to support ongoing ALS research efforts within the WashU community and beyond.

Our projects include utilizing mass spectrometry approaches to determine protein turnover of neurodegenerative biomarkers in ALS participants to inform ALS pathomechanisms and clinical trial design, identification of novel biofluid biomarkers, and immunohistochemical analyses of ALS postmortem tissue.

We seek a postdoctoral fellow with experience in biochemical and molecular analyses, immunohistochemistry, and proteomic approaches. The postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to work alongside members of the WashU ALS Center.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Information on being a postdoc at WashU in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/.

The postdoctoral fellow will train under the mentorship of Dr. Cindy Ly.

The postdoctoral researcher will have the following responsibilities:

• Manages their own project with the anticipation of publishing a first author publication.
• Develops expertise in performing immunoassays, Western blotting, quantitative RT-PCR, analyzing proteomic data, immunohistochemistry, and ALS animal models.
• Develops proficiency in critical evaluation of scientific literature, scientific writing, and public speaking with opportunities to present scientific work.
• Assists with grant preparation and reporting.
• Designs research experiments.
• Evaluates research findings and reports results.
• Maintains ethical standards in research.
• Maintains compliance with good laboratory practice including the maintenance of adequate research records and safe laboratory practices.
• Collegial conduct towards co-trainees, staff members and members of the research.
• Adherence to all applicable University policies, procedures and regulations.

Working Conditions:

This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

Salary Range:

Base pay is commensurate with experience.