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Postdoctoral Fellows, NINDS, NIH,

Employer
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health (NIH),
Location
Bethesda, Maryland
Salary
NIH postdoctoral fellowship range
Closing date
Mar 20, 2021

Postdoctoral Fellows

NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland

Axonal Transport and Energy Metabolism in Neuronal Degeneration and Regeneration

Postdoctoral positions are available in the laboratory of Dr. Zu-Hang Sheng in National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health (NIH). New postdoctoral fellows will investigate mechanisms (1) regulating mitochondrial transport in sensing changes in synaptic activity, mitochondrial integrity, and energy metabolism; (2) regulating axonal transport of endo-lysosomes and autophagosomes in maintaining synaptic and axonal cellular homeostasis in neurodegenerative diseases; and (3) regulating glial-axon transcellular signaling in maintaining axonal and presynaptic energetic metabolism. 

The lab has applied cutting-edge microfluidic chamber technology and live and STED super-resolution imaging of neurons isolated from aged disease mice and human iPSC neurons, combined with in vivo analyses of genetic mouse models with gene rescue. The research in the Sheng lab has provided new mechanistic insights into (1) presynaptic energy-dependent variability and reliability of synaptic transmission; (2) mitochondrial transport and energy metabolism in facilitating CNS regeneration after injury; (3) axonal mitochondria anchoring and energy maintenance in aging neurons; and (4) axonal autophagy-lysosome transport in the maintenance of degradation capacity in diseases. Recent publications from the lab include Cell (2008); Current Biology (2012); Cell Reports (2012, 2013; 2019); EMBO J (2015); JCB (2005; 2013; 2014; 2015; 2016; 2018); Nature Cell Biology (2001; 2004); Neuron (2000; 2009; 2010; 2015; 2017); Nature Communication (2019); Molecular Psychiatry (2020); Cell Metabolism (2020); Nature Metabolism (2020).

The Sheng lab is highly motivated to train independent neuroscientists and has created an environment for doing innovative and collaborative research. Former trainees were successfully awarded NIH K99 or Competitive Fellowships. Eight of them landed academic positions. The lab is equipped with two confocal microscopes (Zeiss LSM880 Airyscan and Olympus FV1000 with TIRF), a Nikon Ti-E motorized inverted stereo microscopy with Neurolucida, one electrophysiological setup, and a Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer for metabolic study. The lab has access to STED super-resolution microscopy, electron microscope (1200EX JEOL), and state-of-the-art mass spectrometry instruments. The unique open space in Porter Neuroscience Building and extensive infrastructural core facility create an interactive environment. NIH and NINDS provides ample training opportunities for postdoctoral fellows. 

Candidates should hold a recent PhD in neurobiology or cell biology with less than 3 years of post-doctoral experience in one of these areas: in vivo and in vitro live imaging, organelle transport, membrane trafficking, energy metabolism, mitochondria biology, lysosome biology, synaptic modulation, neural regeneration, aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Interested candidates should send their applications (statement of research interests, C.V. and the name of three referees) via email to:

Dr. Zu-Hang Sheng 

Senior Investigator

Chief of Synaptic Function Section, NINDS, NIH,

Bethesda, Maryland

E-mail: shengz@ninds.nih.gov

Lab Web page: https://dir.ninds.nih.gov/Faculty/Profile/zu-hang-sheng.html

DHHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers. Positions are subject to a background check. The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs.

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