Summary

The Torre laboratory in the Department of Pathology and Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine is seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Associate to lead projects on the mechanistic basis of chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) and its pathophysiologic overlap with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. We use complementary organismal model systems (i.e. Drosophila and mice) to uncover novel mechanisms contributing to CRCI and neurodegeneration and then validate our findings in human brain tissue, with the ultimate goal of developing therapies to ameliorate cognitive deficits in chemotherapy patients and patients at risk of developing dementia. The ideal candidate is highly organized and has excellent communication skills and a passion for teaching and mentoring less experienced lab members.

Job Duties

• Assists in day-to-day operations of running a scientific research laboratory, including ordering laboratory reagents/equipment, taking inventory of the laboratory supplies, and maintaining IACUC animal and biosafety protocols..
• Helps optimize/establish molecular, multi-omic, and tissue staining protocols, including but not limited to western blot, RT-qPCR, ELISA, single cell transcriptomics, immunohistochemical/immunofluorescence staining, and RNA in situ hybridization.
• Trains/supervises other laboratory members in the above protocols.
• Designs, performs, and interprets experiments in Drosophila and murine model systems (including colony maintenance and behavorial testing) and human brain tissue (including immunohistochemical/immunofluorescence staining, and RNA in situ hybridization).
• Presents data at meetings and conferences (e.g. routine lab meeting, and local, national, and international conferences).

Minimum Qualifications

• MD or Ph.D. in Basic Science, Health Science, or a related field.
• No experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in basic molecular biology techniques.
• Experience with Drosophila and/or murine model systems.
• Prior experience supervising research trainees.