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4816001 Postdoctoral Fellow, Rare Disease Research Unit

The Rare Disease Research Unit is seeking applicants for a postdoctoral fellow to explore the biology of mechanisms of toxicity in sporadic ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease leading to paralysis and death 3-5 years after disease onset. The successful candidate will establish and use models of iPSC derived motor neuron models to identify and characterize molecular mechanisms that contribute to toxic gain and loss of function in sporadic ALS. S/he is expected to have excellent problem solving, critical thinking, and presentation skills (written and oral).

Pfizer’s Rare Disease Research Unit (RDRU) is focused on developing therapies for inherited diseases, including neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders. The successful candidate will be a member of a group focused on neurological/neuromuscular diseases including several repeat expansion diseases.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Design and conduct experimental studies, carry out data analyses and interpretation, record results in electronic lab notebook, and stay abreast of novel relevant findings from the literature.
  • Collaborate with colleagues in the research unit with expertise in different disciplines including ALS, repeat expansion disorders, integrative biology etc

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

  • Ph.D.  in molecular and cell biology, neuroscience or a related discipline including primary authorship on relevant publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
  • Strong hands-on experience working with and establishing iPSC derived neuronal cultures
  • Able to independently establish novel experimental methodologies
  • Scientific and technical agility
  • Proficient with standard molecular biology methods including but not limited to cell culture, knockdown experiments, plasmid transfections, immunoassays such as western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR.
  • Ability to generate high quality data in a time-sensitive environment, to assimilate new information from multiple sources, and to effectively communicate results.
  • Creativity, self-motivation and the ability to work independently including analysis and troubleshooting of experimental results and reviewing literature to formulate new approaches.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in NGS based techniques such as CLIP-Seq
  • Experience generating and analyzing RNA sequencing data
  • Experience designing and performing assays for RNA splicing
  • Experience in ALS/FTD, TDP-43 biology, biomolecular condensates, and/or RNA metabolism