Columbia University

The Rumora lab is seeking a highly-motivated Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join the Rumora laboratory. The Postdoctoral Research Scientist will study the molecular mechanisms that contribute to peripheral neuropathy in prediabetes and diabetes, with a focus on the role of dietary fatty acids and mitochondrial dysfunction in peripheral neuropathy. Experiments will focus on cellular and murine models of peripheral neuropathy in prediabetes and diabetes. The Postdoctoral Research Scientist will conduct in vitro cell culture experiments with primary neurons and neuronal cell lines including cell culture, fatty acid treatments, confocal microscopy, image analysis, and bioenergetics studies. Duties will also include in vivo animal research and husbandry, dissection, tissue processing, and molecular analysis of tissues. The ideal candidate will be proficient with laboratory skills including animal husbandry, cell culture, immunoblotting, RNA/DNA/Protein isolations, PCR, enzymatic assays, immunohistochemistry, confocal imaging, and data analysis. Additionally, the candidate should be willing to work independently to conduct experiments, apply for postdoctoral fellowship grants, contribute to undergraduate student training, present their work at seminars and conferences, and participate in drafting manuscripts.

Responsibilities:

• The Postdoctoral Research Scientist will conduct experiments to investigate the molecular basis for peripheral neuropathy in prediabetes and diabetes
• Conduct animal research and husbandry including administration of glucose tolerance tests, injections, recording weekly body weights and glucose levels, food changes, behavioral analysis, and animal dissection
• Collect, process, and analyze tissue samples, including embedding, sectioning, immunohistochemistry, gene and protein expression analysis, imaging, and analyzing and recording laboratory data
• Perform molecular biology techniques, like western blotting, electrophoresis, RNA/DNA/Protein isolations, PCR, and tissue sectioning
• Perform cell culture and advanced imaging, including cellular assays, live-cell confocal microscopy, and analyzing and recording laboratory data
• Use laboratory computer programs to analyze data sets including Metamorph, Imaris, Photoshop, Excel, and Prism
• Assist with project team planning and training
• Presentation of research at seminars and conferences
• Postdoctoral grant application preparation
• Participation in drafting manuscripts

Minimum qualifications:

• PhD or equivalent in Neuroscience, Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• The ideal candidate will have experience and evidence of scientific productivity, publications in peer-review journals, and excellent writing and presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well in a multidisciplinary team is a must
• Self-motivating with the ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Previous experience with molecular laboratory techniques such as cell culture, immunoblotting, RNA/DNA/Protein isolations, PCR, enzymatic assays, and data analysis.

Preferred qualifications:

• Previous experience with animal husbandry is highly desirable but not required.
• Proficiency in GraphPad Prism, Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator, Metamorph, image J, and Fiji is helpful but not required

Hiring Salary Range: $60,000–$65,000. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Hiring Salary Range: $60,000–$70,000. 

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.