Position Description:

Every great life-changing discovery begins the same way—with new knowledge. It can change everything, from a single life to the future of entire communities. That’s why academic medicine, and the continuous pursuit of knowledge, is at the center of everything we do at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW).  In the role of  Postdoctoral Fellow you will beworking in Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy.

Purpose

A postdoctoral position is available at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) to study islets, synapses, and neurodegenerative diseases. One of the research goals is to understand factors that cause synaptic dysfunction and neurodegenerative disorders at the molecule and circuitry levels. The project will examine neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity using optical and electrophysiological approaches. Applicants should be self-motivated, work independently, and possess excellent communication skills. Excellent publications on related fields or experience with patch-clamp experiments are critical for this position. Demonstrated expertise in patch-clamp recordings from cultured cells, acute brain slices, or the calyx of Held synapses is highly desirable. The group also utilizes molecular biology, super-resolution microscopy, live-cell imaging, multi-omics, and mouse disease models to understand insulin-secretion deficiency and synapse degeneration. (See https://www.mcw.edu/departments/cell-biology-neurobiology-and-anatomy/people/xuelin-lou-phd ).

The position provides opportunities to develop innovative research skills and scientific independence in a collaborative environment. The PI is committed to mentoring young scientists and nurturing creative thinking and scholarship. The laboratory is in the Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy at the main campus of MCW, a vibrant private medical school on the west shore of Lake Michigan.

Primary Functions                 

• Independently design and execute complex experiments aligned with ongoing research projects, analyze and present data. 

• Maintain an organized and up-to-date laboratory notebook and data recorders, adhere to laboratory protocol and existing methodologies, and develop new methods. Make reasonable progress on assigned projects. 

• Participate in regular one-on-one and lab meetings; communicate research with principal investigators. Timely complete meeting abstracts, grant proposals, and manuscripts as needed. 

• Participate in, contribure and promote collaborations with fellow scientists and principal investigators. Participate in relevant seminars, journal clubs, and annual scientific meetings. 

• Plan and conduct specialized experiments independently.  Analyze data and publish the research findings in peer reviewed publications. 

• Establish new procedurs or research metods if needed. 

 Knowledge – Skills – Abilities

The individual should be self-motivated, well-organized, and capable of independent work in a laboratory setting. The candidate is expected to bring expertise that will strengthen or compensate for current techniques used in our teams, such as super-resolution imaging, EM tomography, live-cell fluorescence imaging, patch-clamp, primary islet-cell or neuronal cultures, optogenetics, molecular biology, and mouse disease models. Connected with this expertise should be relevant knowledge associated with intracellular trafficking (e.g., exocytosis, endocytosis, autophagy), actin dynamics, insulin secretion, synaptic transmission, diabetes, or neurodegenerative diseases. Excellent communication skills (oral, writing, and data presentation to team members and collaborators) are mandatory. Self-motivation and the ability to think/work independently are crucial. Preferably, the individual will also be willing to mentor graduate students.

Preferred Schedule:
M-F

Position Requirements:

Minimum Required Education:               PhD or equivalent

Minimum Required Experience:             Prior experience in cell biology, neurobiology, or related fields preferred.

Preferred Education:                             PhD in cell biology, neurobiology or equivalent biomedical science related field.

Preferred Experience:                            We prefer applicants with expertise insynapses, pancreatic islets, actin cytoskeleton,or electrophysiology. Demonstrated experience in patch-clamp or related fields (including ion channels or PALM/STORM super-resolution microscopy) is highly desirable. Prior experience on projects involving islet beta cells, actin dynamics, autophagy, and diabetes; or tasks associated with axon/synaptopathy, neurodegeneration; or with expertise in patch-clamp recordings or super-resolution imaging; or with excellent publications on related fields.

Field:                                                    cell biology, neurobiology

Why MCW?

• Outstanding Healthcare Coverage, including but not limited to Health, Vision, and Dental. Along with Flexible Spending options
• 403B Retirement Package
• Competitive Vacation and Paid Holidays offered
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Pet Insurance
• On campus Fitness Facility, offering onsite classes.
• Additional discounted rates on items such as: Select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment etc. 

For a full list of positions see: www.mcw.edu/careers  

For a brief overview of our benefits see: https://www.mcw.edu/departments/human-resources/benefits

Eastern Wisconsin is a vibrant, diverse metropolitan area.  MCW is intent on attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse workforce and faculty body that reflects the community we serve. We value diversity of backgrounds, experience, thought, and perspectives to advance excellence in science and medicine.  MCW is a welcoming campus community with a strong culture of collaboration, partnership, and engagement with our surrounding community. For more information, please visit our institutional website at https://www.mcw.edu/departments/office-of-diversity-and-inclusion . 

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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