The Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at University of California, Irvine (UCI) invites applications for a full-time post-doctoral researcher position who will be involved in a study elucidating the role of microglia in Alzheimer’s disease using animals and cell culture models. UCI is one of the top-ranked research universities located in Southern California, United States.
Dr. Masashi Kitazawa laboratory focuses on understanding the pathogenic role of genetic and environmental interactions in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with particular interest in the impact of neuroinflammation elicited by aging and genetic predispositions, as well as by environmental risk factors, such as exposure to air pollution and toxic metals.
Through understanding the key neurodegenerative mechanisms by the gene x environmental interactions, the lab also makes effort on developing better animal models and evaluating potential therapeutic strategies using these animals. Techniques including rodent behavior tests, immunoblots, immunohistochemistry, various biochemical assays, and cell culture-based assays are routinely performed in the lab.
The selected applicant will work primarily on the NIH-funded study to investigate how spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) in microglia controls microglia activation and the progression of AD neuropathology in animal models and human iPSC-derived microglia. The research will utilize iPSCs, various in vitro assays, such as cell viability assay, cytokine assays, phagocytosis assay, ELISA and immunocytochemistry, and in vivo animal models of AD. The post-doctoral researcher will work under the supervision of Dr. Masashi Kitazawa.
-Funding is available for a minimum of 3 years. -Salary will be based on qualifications and experience. -Start date: Available immediately or negotiable.
1) A cover letter that includes a description of current research, future plans for research and professional goals 2) A curriculum vitae 3) 2-3 samples of scholarly writing (published, under review or in preparation) 4) Name 3 individuals to request a letter of reference.
Please send any questions regarding this search to Dr. Kitazawa (kitazawa@uci.edu).
