Summary

The Department of Pediatrics/Neurology seeks a physician-scientist or scientist for a faculty position at the rank of Instructor. The successful candidate will contribute to research programs focused on the molecular and metabolic mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, with an emphasis on mitochondrial dysfunction, epilepsy, and inherited neurologic disease.

Job Duties

Research Responsibilities

The Instructor will participate in translational and basic science research investigating the role of WWOX and related metabolic regulators in central nervous system development, neuronal metabolism, and neurodegeneration. Research activities will include:

• Studying the metabolic and mitochondrial pathways contributing to WWOX-mediated neurodegeneration and epileptic encephalopathies.
• Investigating regulation of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and associated metabolic pathways, including glutaminase, glutamate dehydrogenase, aconitase, and isocitrate dehydrogenase.
• Utilizing Drosophila and other experimental model systems to evaluate mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction, seizure susceptibility, and neurodegeneration.
• Performing metabolomics, lipidomics, mitochondrial respiration, and functional genomic analyses to identify metabolic abnormalities associated with neurodevelopmental disease.
• Assisting with experiments involving CRISPR-mediated genetic manipulation, molecular biology, biochemical assays, and neurobehavioral phenotyping.
• Supporting translational approaches aimed at identifying therapeutic targets for WWOX-related disorders and other mitochondrial-associated neurologic diseases.
• Preparing manuscripts, presenting findings at scientific meetings, and assisting with grant applications and research reporting.

Clinical Responsibilities

The Instructor may contribute to clinical activities related to pediatric neurology, neurogenetics, epilepsy, or translational neuroscience, as appropriate to training and departmental needs. Clinical responsibilities may include:

• Providing clinical care for patients with neurodevelopmental disorders, epilepsy, mitochondrial disease, or inherited neurologic conditions.
• Participating in multidisciplinary clinics focused on neurogenetics and rare neurologic disorders.
• Collaborating with clinical and translational research teams to support patient-centered research initiatives and clinical applications.
• Assisting with clinical trials, patient phenotyping, and translational studies related to neurologic and metabolic disease.

Academic Responsibilities

• Participate in the education and mentorship of students, residents, fellows, and research trainees.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary investigators across neuroscience, genetics, metabolism, and pediatrics.
• Contribute to departmental and institutional academic initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

• MD, MD/PhD, PhD, or equivalent degree in neuroscience, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, or related field.
• Demonstrated interest or experience in neurobiology, metabolism, mitochondrial biology, genetics, or neurodegenerative disease research.
• Experience with metabolomics, lipidomics, animal models, or molecular genetic approaches preferred.
• Eligibility for faculty appointments at the Instructor level.
• For clinically active candidates, eligibility for medical licensure and board certification/eligibility in the appropriate specialty is required.