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Post Doctoral Associate

Employer
Levine Lab, Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Salary
Salary and fringe benefits will be paid according to the NIH scale.
Closing date
Dec 12, 2022

Description: The Levine Laboratory in the Department of Neurobiology and the University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine seeks a highly motivated and creative postdoctoral researcher to investigate the molecular and cellular root causes of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). This laboratory focuses on oxidative neuronal DNA damage as a root cause of amyloid beta accumulation in the development of AD, and it therefore utilizes various multi-disciplinary strategies for inducing and studying DNA damage and repair in mammalian neurons within the context of neurodegenerative disease. Oxidative stress is one of the earliest pathologic changes in AD, and neurons in the brain are vulnerable to this stress and the consequent damage that it induces, especially DNA double-strand breaks. We are searching for a postdoctoral researcher with a background in DNA damage and repair and/or a background in neurobiology. Researchers will work in a highly collaborative environment comprising twelve full-time Alzheimer’s groups in the “Assault on Alzheimer’s Initiative”, spearheaded by Dr. Arthur Levine, with exceptional resources available for animal modeling, neuroimaging, DNA and RNA sequencing, genomic engineering, data analyses, and optogenetics.

A successful candidate will be expected to lead a basic research project on topics such as the mechanism by which oxidative DNA damage may induce amyloid beta generation in neurons, whether DNA damage repair engages DNA or RNA-based pathways, and whether DNA damage-induced amyloid has a greater likelihood of provoking the downstream concomitants of amyloid accumulation (e.g.-tau phosphorylation) than other possible causes of amyloid accumulation. We welcome other ideas that candidates may have for projects along these lines.   

Requirements: Interested candidates should have a Ph.D. (or M.D. with research training) in a biological science and peer-reviewed publication history in areas relevant to DNA damage and/or neuroscience at their start date. Proficiency with molecular and biochemical methodologies, mammalian cell culture, fluorescence imaging, and basic microscopy is necessary. Applicants with experience in utilizing induced pluripotent stem cell cultures, lentiviral transfection, and lipidomics are highly encouraged to apply. Postdoctoral NIH training grant opportunities are available. Animal models are not currently employed in this laboratory.

Researchers will work closely with Dr. Arthur Levine and Research Staff Scientist Dr. Starr Welty. The goal is to develop a high-risk, potentially high-reward project that is consistent with the candidate’s long-term interest in academia or industry.

Interested candidates should email their curriculum vitae, a brief letter of interest outlining experience and research goals, and a biosketch to alevine@pitt.edu.  References will be requested for qualified candidates, followed by in-person interviews of lead candidates.

Interested applicants should also apply to requisition #22008318 through the talent center website using this link:  https://cfopitt.taleo.net/careersection/pitt_faculty_external_pd/jobdetail.ftl?job=22008318&tz=GMT-04%3A00&tzname=America%2FNew_York .

Recent references from this lab:

-Welty, S., Thathiah, A., & Levine, A. S. (2022). DNA Damage Increases Secreted Aβ40 and Aβ42 in Neuronal Progenitor Cells: Relevance to Alzheimer's Disease. Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD88(1), 177–190. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-220030.

-Welty, S., Teng, Y., Liang, Z., Zhao, W., Sanders, L. H., Greenamyre, J. T., Rubio, M. E., Thathiah, A., Kodali, R., Wetzel, R., Levine, A. S., & Lan, L. (2018). RAD52 is required for RNA-templated recombination repair in post-mitotic neurons. The Journal of biological chemistry293(4), 1353–1362.https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M117.808402.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EOE, including disability/veterans.

 

 

 

 

 

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