Job Description

A Postdoctoral Research opportunity to perform basic and translational research in motor neuron disease is available in the laboratory of Dr. Cindy Ly (Department of Neurology).

The focus of the Ly Lab is to develop novel biofluid biomarkers and discover therapeutic targets for motor neuron disease including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). We employ a multimodal strategy that leverages basic cell culture and animal models as well as patient biosamples to translate findings to human disease. The laboratory is actively involved in ALS postmortem tissue biobanking and biofluid collection efforts to support ongoing ALS research efforts within the WashU community and beyond.

Our projects include utilizing mass spectrometry approaches to determine protein turnover of neurodegenerative biomarkers in ALS participants to inform ALS pathomechanisms and clinical trial design, identification of novel biofluid biomarkers, and immunohistochemical analyses of ALS postmortem tissue.

We seek a postdoctoral fellow with experience in biochemical and molecular analyses, immunohistochemistry, and proteomic approaches. The postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to work alongside members of the WashU ALS Center.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Information on being a postdoc at WashU in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/

The postdoctoral fellow will train under the mentorship of Dr. Cindy Ly.

The postdoctoral researcher will have the following responsibilities:

• Manages their own project with the anticipation of publishing a first author publication.
• Develops expertise in performing immunoassays, Western blotting, quantitative RT-PCR, analyzing proteomic data, immunohistochemistry, and ALS animal models.
• Develops proficiency in critical evaluation of scientific literature, scientific writing, and public speaking with opportunities to present scientific work.
• Assists with grant preparation and reporting.
• Designs research experiments.
• Evaluates research findings and reports results.
• Maintains ethical standards in research.
• Maintains compliance with good laboratory practice including the maintenance of adequate research records and safe laboratory practices.
• Collegial conduct towards co-trainees, staff members and members of the research.
• Adherence to all applicable University policies, procedures and regulations.

Working Conditions:

This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

Salary Range:

Base pay is commensurate with experience.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.

CertificationsProfessional Licenses

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

At WashU, postdoctoral appointments:

• Have a 5-year term limit that includes previous experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

CertificationsProfessional Licenses

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills:

Collaboration, Data Analysis, Data Interpretations, Experimentation, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Techniques, Researching, Results Reporting, Scientific Writing

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please emailCandidateQuestions@wustl.eduor call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.