Position: Postdoctoral Fellow (Traumatic brain injury; Neurodegeneration)

Organization: School of Medicine, USUHS and Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine

Location: Bethesda, MD

Summary: This Postdoctoral Fellow position in the School of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (Bethesda, Maryland) will be responsible for initiating and carrying out research projects in collaboration with a research team, under the direction of Dr. Regina Armstrong, Chair of the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics. The person selected for this position will conduct research in experimental models and human postmortem brain tissues to screen therapies to promote regeneration and plasticity to protect against neurodegeneration and chronic symptoms associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and related clinical conditions.

The position is with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF). HJF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.

This position will be located in the School of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. The research team values a collaborative environment that supports diverse team members conducting multi-disciplinary research. We are examining mechanisms of neuroregeneration and neurodegeneration to identify therapeutic targets for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and evaluating candidate therapeutics for repurposing to TBI as a new clinical indication. Strong applicants will bring expertise in state-of-the-science techniques and neuroscience research experience to complement our ongoing transcriptomic, neuropathological, biochemical, behavioral and neuroimaging approaches in experimental models of TBI and human postmortem brain tissues. 

Responsibilities:

• Conducts experiments in mouse models to analyze cellular responses to acute injury and during neurodegeneration, and the effects of candidate therapeutics to protect axons and promote regeneration and plasticity.
• Performs highly skilled and specialized laboratory research utilizing and designing experimental protocols which will involve specialized procedures to analyze functional impairment and recovery of axons and neural circuits.
• Collaborates on analysis of human postmortem brain tissues for translational correlation with experiments in mouse models.
• Contributes to behavioral and neuroimaging evaluation of injury and treatment effects in mouse models.
• Formulates experimental hypotheses, designs, and executes experimental protocols. 
• Makes scientific observations, maintains detailed workbooks/documentation, and ensures documentation fulfills generally accepted professional/industry standards. Analyzes and interprets experimental data, including statistical analyses.
• Coordinates and contributes to new grant and funding applications. 
• Trains and supervises laboratory technicians, as needed. 
• Prepares written reports and manuscripts for submission to scientific journals. 
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for role.  

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

·  Knowledge of applicable complex scientific procedures and techniques; excellent communication skills.

·  Ability to troubleshoot technical procedures.

·  Ability to work independently and supervise others.

·  Laboratory and animal research experience required.  

·  Experience with diverse techniques for analysis of brain tissue specimens in animal models and/or human postmortem tissues is beneficial.

·  Experience with specialized techniques for analysis of axon and neural circuit function is beneficial.

·  Experience with traumatic brain injury or other neurological diseases is beneficial.

Supervisory Responsibilities

·  Assigned Lead: May recommend the following: employee hiring, disciplinary action, and starting salaries; provide input on employee performance evaluations.

Qualifications:

Work Environment

·  This position will take place primarily in a laboratory setting. 

·  Depending upon specific study requirements, evening, holiday, or weekend work may occasionally be required.

·  Partial telework opportunities may be included.

Education and Experience

·  Doctorate or equivalent degree required for this position.  Preferred field of study is Neuroscience or related disciplines.

·  Minimum of 0-5 years of relevant experience is required for this position.

All HJF employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination or an approved religious or medical accommodation will be required.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, education and credentials, a criminal background check, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check if applicable. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer. 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.