Post Doctoral Scholar

Job Description Summary

The Mallah Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Postdoctoral Research Scholar to join the lab and support ongoing neuroimmunology-related research. The laboratory investigates immune activation (with a focus on complement mediated processes) and neuroimmune interactions following traumatic brain injury (TBI) using experimental mouse models in combination with microscopy, cellular and molecular immune profiling, and behavioral analyses. The postdoc will contribute to funded projects in the lab and will be responsible for advancing research progress through experimental design, execution of studies, troubleshooting, and data analysis. The individual will work closely with the Principal Investigator and other laboratory members to advance multiple projects and generate high-quality data for publications and grant-supported research.

Job Description

Duties/Responsibilities

• Animal procedures and behavioral studies (35%):
  • Execute research activities in support of assigned projects, with a primary focus on animal procedures and behavioral experimentation. Responsibilities include performing surgical procedures, such as traumatic brain injury models, conducting behavioral assays, analyzing experimental data, maintaining animal colonies, and harvesting tissues for downstream analyses.
• Wet lab procedures and laboratory operations (35%)
  • Conduct wet lab procedures of assigned research projects. Duties include, but are not limited to, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry staining, microscopy, flow cytometry, cryosectioning of tissue, and analysis of the obtained experimental results using dedicated software. Additional responsibilities include preparing laboratory reagents, managing inventory of reagents and aliquots, and overseeing equipment maintenance in collaboration with Research Specialists in the Mallah Lab.
•  Scientific communication and reporting (20%)
  • Prepare initial drafts of manuscripts, abstracts, and progress reports, including publication-quality figures, detailed methods, and draft sections of introductions, results, and discussions. Develop posters and other presentation materials for scientific meetings. Maintain current knowledge of relevant scientific literature to support ongoing and future research efforts. The candidate will be expected to apply for intra- and extramural funding at all stages of their career and assist the PI with grant proposals for the laboratory.
• General laboratory support and organization (10%)
  • Provide support for related projects within the lab and assist other personnel as needed. Responsibilities include training new and visiting lab members on standard protocols and procedures, participating in lab meetings and project-specific meetings, maintaining accurate and organized documentation of records such as budgets, purchases, and laboratory notebooks. The individual will assist the principal investigator in fostering a clean, collaborative, compliant, and efficient research environment.

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• • A PhD degree in biology (preferably in fields of neuroscience, neuroimmunology, or immunology).

Preferred Experience and Training Requirements:

• • Ability to work independently and as a member of a research team.
  • Can manage projects of moderate size with PI input.
  • Experience in immunofluorescence and microscopy, flow cytometry, and small animal behavioral assays.
  • Surgical experience in rodents, preferably including traumatic brain injury models or other cranial procedures.

For further information or to apply please send the following application material to Dr. Khalil Mallah ([email protected]):

• CV
• A one-page cover letter stating why you are interested in this position, your qualifications, and your career goals
• The names and contact information of 3 references