St. John's University is Catholic, Vincentian and Metropolitan. We are committed to attracting, motivating, and retaining a highly qualified and diverse workforce to support our mission of academic excellence and the pursuit of wisdom. Known for over 100 years of proud athletic tradition, our Big East excitement keeps Red Storm fans cheering.

Ranked among America's top universities by The Princeton Review, St. John's University educates leaders for today's global society through quality academics, high-tech resources and an expanding international presence. With 1,500 Faculty and 1,700 Administrators/Staff, St. John's is a leading Catholic University in the Vincentian tradition, dedicated to making a positive difference in people's lives through active engagement in issues of energy and resource conservation, social justice and global citizenship. These values enhance the academic experience of more than 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students on three residential New York City campuses in Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan; a graduate center in Oakdale, NY; an international campus in Rome, Italy; and learning centers in other locations worldwide.

Title: Postdoctoral Researcher - Research related to Parkinson's Disease - Zebrafish Expertise

Department: Biological Sciences

Campus: Queens

Job Summary:

Using zebrafish as a model to study brain-specific processes associated with Parkinson's Disease.

Although it is known that α-synuclein is one of the hallmarks of Parkinson's Disease causing cell death and neurodegeneration it is unclear when this protein is toxic and how it exerts its toxicity. The successful candidate will now map the cell death pathway in relation to α-synuclein aggregation states in zebrafish documenting when α-synuclein becomes toxic, ie which state is vital for cell death initiation and progression and the consequence this has on other proteins within the cell. To analyze this we will generate loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutants in zebrafish and in neuronal cell lines with loss of or gain of crucial Parkinson's Disease associated proteins individually and in various combinations. In these mutants we will assess α-synuclein aggregation and cell death progression to map critical points when α-synuclein is dependent on established Parkinson's Disease proteins and how this can be modulated by stress or neurotoxins. Once this is established we will use the data to map critical α-synuclein toxicity points in brain samples from Parkinsons Disease patients which will provide valuable clues towards intervention of α-synuclein aggregation, toxicity and ultimately cell death.

Responsibilities:

• Perform research related to Parkinson's Disease.
• Participate in General Laboratory Tasks.

Qualifications:

• PHD level with experience working with Zebrafish.
• Zebrafish expertise.
• This position is subject to a comprehensive background screen, with employment contingent upon satisfactory results. If access to a University vehicle is required for the position, a DMV check for driving record and valid driver's license is also required.

St. John's offers a competitive compensation program which is commensurate with your qualifications, experience, and contingent upon the departmental budget. We also offer an extremely comprehensive benefits program to meet the diverse needs of our workforce. Along with exceptional benefits such as medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability insurance, tuition remission, generous 403(b) employer contribution, employee assistance program, and liberal paid time off policies, faculty and staff can also enjoy St. John's performing arts, libraries, bookstores, dining facilities, campus recreation and sporting events.

St. John's University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from women and minorities.

St. John’s University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from women and minorities.

© Copyright 2015 Internet Employment Linkage, Inc.