Summary

Are you passionate about deciphering the complexities of Alzheimer's disease? We're seeking a smart and dedicated scientist to help us probe the hidden heterogeneity of Alzheimer's pathology.  The Jankowsky lab is on a mission to understand how individual differences in Alzheimer's onset and symptoms stem from structural variations of protein aggregation within the brain. Our focus revolves around the pivotal role of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's pathology, recognizing that these aggregates can manifest in diverse forms. Some may drive disease progression, while others could hold protective qualities

What sets us apart

We've pioneered the creation of mouse models that reproduce each type of amyloid plaque, providing an unparalleled platform to explore the molecular basis and cognitive repercussions of these divergent structures.

Why consider us?

•  Great training environment - highly collaborative team, strong research infrastructure
•  Supportive advisor, focused on your professional development
•  Fully-funded position, with opportunity to learn grant writing skills
•  Highly diverse city with cultures and food from around the globe
•  Low cost of living relative to other major research centers like Boston and San Francisco  

Join our team of dedicated scientists combining mouse genetic engineering, viral brain transduction, neurohistology, and basic biochemistry to understand what causes of dementia and to develop potential treatments.  You can learn more about our lab and ongoing projects at:  https://www.bcm.edu/research/labs-and-centers/faculty-labs/joanna-jankowsky-lab

The laboratory is located at the main Baylor College of Medicine campus which enjoys a vibrant and collegial scientific environment.  BCM itself is located in Houston's Texas Medical Center, a 1,000-acre complex of over 50 independent institutions within easy access. Houston is the fourth largest city in the US and is home to a diverse international population.  The city offers great restaurants, a warm climate, and affordable housing.

Job Duties

• Designs and conducts smart, impactful experiments to identify the cost-benefit balance between route of delivery and therapeutic efficacy.
• Discovers, discusses, and deploys new research ideas towards the goal of making gene therapy a reality for neurological disease. 
• Carefully collects and exhaustively analyzes experimental results to conclusively test each hypothesis. 
• Plunders the literature for new ideas, methods, and resources.
• Scrutinizes results, interpret outcomes, identify next steps from each experiment.
• Communicates the rationale, design, data, and impact of our work to others in the field in clear prose and visually effective figures.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong background in molecular biology - Western blotting, ELISA, immunofluorescence, etc. These techniques are fundamental to our experimental work.
• Experience with amyloid or tau biology - these proteins are key determinants of disease.
• Experience with mouse models for Alzheimer's disease or other neurodegenerative diseases. These models form the basis of our studies.
• Beyond the bench, our ideal candidate is also highly self-motivated, detail-oriented and able to think independently, but also work well in a team.

Additional Information

The appointment is for an initial term of one year, with the expectation of continued support pending successful progress.  The position comes with competitive salary and benefits, commensurate with experience.  The start date is flexible, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Applicant Instructions

Please submit a CV, including contact information for 3 references.