Assistant/Associate Professor Tenure System

Michigan State University(MSU); Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for an Assistant/Associate Professor in Translational Neuroscience at the Grand Rapids Research Center. The successful candidate will build an independent, nationally competitive research program in age-related neurodegenerative diseases and contribute to PD and tau/amyloid research initiatives.

The role includes mentoring graduate students and teaching within a translational framework that bridges basic science discoveries with clinical

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in neuroscience or closely related field.
• Demonstrated translational research with clinical relevance.
• Strong mentoring and collaborative skills.

Responsibilities

• Establish a distinct, nationally competitive research program in neurodegenerative disease.
• Contribute to Parkinson’s disease and tau/amyloid research portfolios.
• Mentor graduate students and postdocs; provide didactic instruction.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and clinical partners.

Skills

Translational neuroscience

Collaborative research

Mentoring

Education

PhD in Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, or Cell Biology

Job description

Working/Functional Title Assistant/Associate Professor Tenure System

Position Summary

The faculty of the Department of Translational Neuroscience seek a motivated neuroscientist with a track record of scholarship in age-related neurodegenerative disease. While Translational Neuroscience hopes to enhance its faculty scholarship in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies, discipline experts in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias or beyond are also encouraged to apply. Currently, Translational Neuroscience consists of fifteen faculty with particularly strong foci in Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies and Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies. Labs employ model systems ranging from cell, to invertebrate, to rodent models. Areas of investigation for the Parkinson’s team’s span alpha-synuclein biology, neuroinflammation, levodopa-induced dyskinesias, deep brain stimulation, environmental exposure, and aging contributors to degeneration. The Alzheimer’s team’s expertise spans tau and amyloid biology, neuroinflammation, transcriptomic and proteomics, cell and animal model development, disease biomarkers and novel therapeutics. The successful candidate is expected to bring or develop an independent, nationally competitive research program that complements these larger neurodegenerative disease research portfolios while contributing to collaborations in service of larger program level projects, and the mentoring and didactic instruction of graduate trainees. MSU offers extremely competitive salaries, benefits, and start-up packages. This position is located at the Grand Rapids Research Center, 400 Monroe St NW, Grand Rapids, MI. Please note that this is a union position represented by the Union of Tenure System Faculty (UTSF).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree Terminal

-Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology

Minimum Requirements

• The position requires a PhD or equivalent with a record of sustained scholarship in Parkinson’s disease or closely allied research areas, commensurate with experience.
• The scope of the candidate’s research program should demonstrate a commitment to translational efforts aimed at bridging basic science discoveries with clinical application.
• A stated desire, or an established track record of participating in multidisciplinary team-based collaborations is essential.
• Dedication to mentoring students/fellows should be evident.
• Applicants for Associate Professor with Tenure should have a successful, sustained, active extramural funding history in neurodegenerative disease research.

Desired Qualifications

• Research foci including basal ganglia circuit dynamics, cognition, astrocyte/microglial biology, synaptic transmission, or lysosomal function are desired but not required.

Required Application Materials

1. Cover letter detailing research interests and mentoring philosophy.
2. Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications and funding history.
3. Statement of research accomplishments and future research plans (3 page maximum).
4. Contact information for three professional references.

Review of Applications Begins On

05/13/2026

Summary of Health Risks

Work with animals or unfixed animal tissue

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of