The Department of Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine is seeking a highly motivated Instructor to conduct independent and collaborative research in the areas of neurodegeneration, functional genomics, and are disease modeling within the Bellen lab.

The successful candidate will develop and lead research projects investigating molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease, ALS/FTD, and related neurodegenerative disorders. These mechanisms will be related to glial cell biology, lipid droplet metabolism, and oxidative stress. Research approaches will include fly genetics, functional genomics, cellular and molecular biology, and cell culture-based modeling of disease. The Instructor will be expected to collaborate with other investigators across Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, and the Texas Medical Center.

Job Duties

• Design, execute, and lead independent research projects focused on neurodegenerative disease mechanisms in taupathies.
• Develop innovative research questions in the area of glial lipid droplet metabolism.
• Produce, analyze and interpret behavioral data in Drosophila aimed at studying neuronal defects.
• Develop innovative experimental approaches using model systems, including Drosophila and cell culture systems, to investigate brain disease-associated pathways.
• Produce, analyze and interpret complex experimental data derived from Drosophila and cultured cells aimed at studying lipid droplets, lysosomes, ER, mitochondria, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, Tau biology, glial biology, neurodegeneration, and other related pathways/mechanisms.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D., in Neuroscience.
• 10+ years of research experience in Drosophila genetics.
• Demonstrated record of scientific productivity, including multiple first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrated record of successful collaborations, including multiple co-authored publications in peer-reviewed journals.