Postdoctoral Positions in Neurotrauma

Position Description: NIH funded positions (2-3 positions) are available immediately to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurological dysfunction following spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), with the ultimate goal of developing potentially therapeutic strategies. In particular, we are interested in pathological mechanisms including disruption of autophagy and lysosomal pathway, astrocytic TrkB.T1, microglial Hv1 channel, NOX2, extracellular vesicles (EVs), and their contribution to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in both acute CNS trauma and aging conditions including chronic SCI/TBI and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (AD/ADRD). Specifically, we focus on: (1) Demonstrating the function and the mechanisms of autophagy-lysosomal pathway in aged mice or mice aging after SCI. (2) Elucidating molecular mechanisms responsible for SCI-induced brain neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. (3) Investigating the role of plasma and tissue extracellular vesicles (EVs) in secondary injury after CNS trauma. (4) Examining the function and mechanism of voltage-gated proton channels Hv1 on neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain after experimental SCI and TBI. (5) Elucidating the inflammatory mechanisms underlying olfactory dysfunction in TBI model and its correlation with late-onset dementia-related pathology. Multidisciplinary approaches include rodent models of SCI and TBI, diverse behavioral evaluation, characterization of EVs and their cargo content, quantitative image analysis, as well as molecular and cellular biology. Additional information about our projects is available at: https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/profiles/Wu-Junfang/ http://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/Anesthesiology/Research/Junfang-Wu-BM-PhD/

UMB requires all faculty, staff, and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Exemptions for medical or religious reasons will be processed through Human Resources.

Job requirements: Successful candidates will have a Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Molecular/Cell Biology, Immunology, or a related field, and a record of publication success. Experience with flow cytometry, primary CNS cell culture, adult CNS cell isolation, and animal models of SCI and TBI (mouse and rat) is preferred. Candidates should be highly motivated and independent with the ability to work in a dynamic team environment. They should have exceptional organizational skills and strong oral and written communications skills.

To Apply: Please send letter of interest, your contact information, CV, and the names and email addresses of 2-3 references to: Dr. Junfang Wu (junfang.wu@som.umaryland.edu).

UMB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law or policy.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for a disability, for any part of the recruitment process, please contact us at HRJobs@umaryland.edu and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.