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Courtesy posting

Job Summary

Background

The Synaptic and Network Development Group, led by Dr. Susanna Mierau, is seeking a talented Postdoctoral Research Associate with expertise in deriving neuronal organoid cultures from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and/or in CRISPR gene editing technologies in human iPSCs. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will join an exciting interdisciplinary collaboration at the intersection of neurophysiology, human stem cell biology, and network science. We will address how the genetic change in Rett syndrome, a childhood disorder, leads to altered neural networks and seizures during early development. Using a novel preparation of human cerebral organoids (Giandomenico et al., 2019 Nature Neuroscience), we now have the ability to understand how brain network function is altered at the cellular scale in a human in vitro model of Rett syndrome. This organoid platform will also be used to test novel therapeutic strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

● Work closely with experts in human stem cell to create autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) disease models in human cerebral organoids from patient-derived iPSC lines
● Lead generation and maintenance of human cerebral organoids in our laboratory
● Perform multi-electrode array (MEA) recordings and analyze network activity in the NDD and control human cerebral organoids
● Work closely with team members in our interdisciplinary collaborations on the development and application of methods for human organoids, network recordings and network analysis
● Ensure validity and reliability of all data collected and analyzed
● Keep excellent records of experiments, undertake thorough data analysis and make active contributions to the laboratory research environment
● Write regular internal reports as agreed and draft and/or contribute to reports for submission to research sponsors
● Prepare and present findings at internal group meetings
● Draft publications and/or presentations for scientific journals/conferences
● Contribute to research grant applications
● Provide guidance to staff and students, including training to students and/or other trainees
● Be an active team member and set positive examples for other team members
● Contribute and lead administrative tasks related to research and teaching goals
● Maintain a safe workplace and follow all lab and hospital practices and procedures
● Any other duties commensurate with the post as directed by the PIs

Education & Qualifications:

• PhD degree (or about to be awarded at PhD) in one of the following fields: neuroscience, physiology, stem cell biology, molecular or cellular biology, or bioengineering
• Available to start as soon as possible

Specialist knowledge & skills:

Essential (required):

• A PhD in a relevant field.
• Research expertise sufficient to work independently:
  • Generation and maintenance of human iPSC-derived brain organoids
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with other group members

Desirable (not required at time of hiring):

• Research expertise in CRISPR and/or other gene editing technologies for human iPSCs or embryonic stem cells (ESCs)
• Research experience in neurophysiology (i.e., multielectrode array recordings and/or whole-cell patch clamp technique)
• Research experience in computational analysis of network activity

Interpersonal & Communication Skills:

• Superior written and verbal communication skills for working collaboratively, including communicating progress and challenges to PIs
• Rigorous scientific skills for acquiring, analyzing and presenting data

• Excellent time and project management skills
• Ability to make independent decisions and solve routine problems encountered in research projects
• Meticulous record keeping for both experimental procedures and for analysis
• Willingness to adjust working hours in accordance with experimental demands and as necessary for project goals
• Generosity of spirit and willingness to share and help develop skills in others

Length of appointment:

• One year in the first instance, with potential to extend up to four years if satisfactory progress is made.

Probation period:

• 6 months

If interested, please forward resume and cover letter to Dr. Susanna Mierau;

smierau@bwh.harvard.edu

• Only applicants who are invited for interview will be contacted.

Onsite

60 Fenwood Road

2200 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.

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