Position Description:

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), a postdoc is an individual who has received a doctoral degree (or equivalent) and is engaged in a temporary and defined period of mentored advanced research training to enhance the professional skills and research independence needed to pursue his or her chosen career path. In addition, according to the National Postdoc Association (NPA), Postdoctoral appointees can pursue basic, clinical or translational projects so long as their primary effort is devoted toward their own scholarship. Postdocs are essential to the scholarly mission of the mentor and host institution, and thus are expected to have the freedom to publish the results of their scholarship.

The Department of Neurosurgery is seeking a candidate for post-doctoral fellow position to work in translational research investigating the development of epilepsy and neuronal plasticity in a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Specific investigative aims include, i) genetic dysregulation in the temporal lobe, ii) structural plasticity during the development of epilepsy, iii) electrographic recording and stimulation of the brain in early epileptogenesis. Some of the techniques used in this project include animal stereotactic surgery, behavioral epilepsy scoring, microdissection, brain-slicing, DNA/RNA isolation, PCR, genotyping, whole animal electrocorticography, confocal microscopy. Transgenic mice lines will be used for scientific inquiry, future lines of investigation may include human post-surgical tissue. The candidate will join a vibrant neuroscience community with potential for additional opportunities in clinical and translational research.

Characteristics of a postdoctoral appointment:

It is expected that postdocs at MCW, with the assistance of their supervisor, will:

• Transition to career independence through the development of professional skills that enable the postdoc to actively pursue a career of his/her own choosing.
• Be supervised by at least one senior scholar who actively promotes the postdoc's professional development.
• Establish an individual development plan (IDP) that incorporates equally the postdoc's career and training goals and the mentor's research goals.
• Pursue basic, clinical, or translational projects so long as effort is focused primarily on research.
• Publish results of the postdoc's research and scholarship during their appointment.
• The postdoctoral appointment is temporary by nature, the aggregate amount of time spent as a postdoc is recommended to not exceed five years (not including family medical leave or maternity/paternity leave).
• As postdocs are important members of the host institution's community, appropriate levels of compensation, health care, and other benefits commensurate with their essential status should be afforded, independent of the postdoc's source of funding.

Primary Functions

• Plan, design and execute complex research studies, procedures and protocols.
• Participate in discovery projects.
• Coordinate research study activities; lead and manage projects.
• Oversee organization, synthesis and analysis of data and findings.
• Prepare scientific reports, outcome findings and scientific manuscripts. 
• Participate in meetings with principle investigator and research staff in which you will evaluate/interpret the validity of data, develop methodologies, and design and evaluate lab procedures.
• Maintain supplies, may require negotiation with vendors, and track purchase orders.
• May oversee the work of laboratory personnel including training and development as well as daily work direction, delegation and establishing priorities.

Preferred Schedule:

Position Requirements:

Knowledge – Skills – Abilities

Required knowledge: PhD in neuroscience, molecular biology, cell biology, structural biology, developmental biology or related disciplines, data interpretation, data analysis, statistics, documentation, records management, data utilization, complex problem solving, critical thinking, resource management, and writing/presentation skills

Skills and abilities: mouse handling and husbandry skills required, able to work independently and within a collaborative environment. Experience with stereotactic surgery, confocal-microscopy, electrophysiology, molecular biology techniques including immunohistochemistry, RNA isolation, western blot desirable.

Specifications

Minimum Required Education:               PhD in neuroscience or related field

Minimum Required Experience:              None

Preferred Education:                              PhD in neuroscience, molecular biology, cell biology, structural biology, developmental biology or related disciplines

Preferred Experience:                            Must be proficient in mouse husbandry / handling

Field:                                                    Neuroscience, molecular biology, epilepsy

MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

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