Neurodegenerative Disease Proteomic Analysis Postdoc Position
The Berger lab at Duke University Medical Center (https://anesthesiology.duke.edu/research/berger-lab) is looking for a talented postdoc or research scientist with experience in proteomics analysis or similar ‘omics analysis and/or statistical background, to work on a new NIH R01 funded project “APOE4-dependent regulation of CSF Complement Pathway Activation in the Development of Alzheimer’s Disease”. This project seeks to understand the effect of APOE4 allele copy number on CSF complement protein levels and pathway activation throughout adult human life, based on our preliminary data (PMID 33337362). The rationale behind this work is that excessive complement-mediated synaptic pruning in APOE4 carriers could increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, a hypothesis supported not only by our preliminary human data but also by data from multiple mouse models from several labs. This work will involve the analysis of both targeted and unbiased mass spec-based proteomic data obtained from ~500 CSF samples from APOE4 heterozygotes, homozygotes and non-carriers. This repository of hundreds of human CSF samples comes from several of our studies that have obtained CSF, as well as from collaborators across the USA and Europe.
Additional aims of this project will study the relationship between CSF complement pathway activation and long term cognitive decline (independent of Ab and tau pathologies), and determine the effect of modulating APOE signaling in vivo on postoperative CNS complement activation in older adults (using unique samples from our MARBLE trial- see PMID 32417770).
This is an excellent opportunity for anyone whose Ph.D. work (or recent work) included ‘omics analysis (especially neuro proteomics) or similar statistical approaches. The actual mass spectroscopy assays will be performed by the Duke proteomics facility for this work, though opportunities exist for the postdoc to learn about the core facility mass spec rig and to learn about how to run these samples from the core faculty staff. The postdoc or research scientific will receive full benefits (including health insurance) from Duke University Medical Center, and will benefit from rich collaboration with the Duke/UNC Alzheimer’s Disease Center and the neuroscience community at Duke. Interested applicants should email Dr. Berger at miles.berger@duke.edu with a copy of their CV and a statement of their interest.
Neuroimaging Postdoc Position
A postdoc position in translational human neuroscience is open with the Perioperative Research Team (PORT) lab at Duke University Medical Center (led by Dr. Miles Berger), focusing on functional neuroimaging and CSF biomarker correlates of differences in brain EEG sensitivity to anesthetic drugs in older surgical patients. This work is funded by an NIH R01 grant, and seeks to understand why some older adults have increased brain sensitivity to anesthetic drugs, and why increased brain sensitivity to anesthetic drugs is associated with cognitive impairment, postoperative delirium risk, and a possible increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and long-term cognitive decline.
This position is open to those with a PhD in neuroscience and expertise in functional/ structural MRI analysis; a background in EEG analysis and/or CSF biomarker studies is also helpful but not required. The successful applicant will have excellent interpersonal skills as well as excellent analytical, quantitative and communication skills. The postdoc will work under the supervision of Dr. Berger as well as our neuroimaging/neuropsychology collaborator Dr. Jeff Browndyke and our cognitive neuroscience collaborator Dr. Marty Woldorff.
This position will expose the post-doc to both cutting edge modern neuroscience approaches (at both the systems and cell/molecular levels), and to the management of older surgical patients at risk for both postoperative delirium and longer-term cognitive decline and dementia risk. This is an ideal position for anyone interested in true translational human neuroscience. For more info about our team, please see our lab website at: https://anesthesiology.duke.edu/research/berger-lab
Requirements
Minimum Degree Requirements:
1) Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g., Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M.) in Alzheimer’s disease and/or related dementias research, cognitive or systems neuroscience, neuroimaging, or related fields;
2) expertise in the analysis of fMRI/structural MRI data. Additional expertise in EEG analysis is a bonus.
The successful applicant will have outstanding analytical/quantitative skills as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
For the right individual, partial tele-working (hybrid) is possible.To Apply:
or
Just send your CV and letter of interest and the names and contact info for 3 references to miles.berger@duke.edu
