Associate Investigator - Brain Disease Proteomics and Connectomics

alleninstitute; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Allen Institute seeks an outstanding Associate Investigator to lead proteomic and connectomic analyses of human brain tissues in health and disease, with emphasis on cell-type selective changes in synaptic connectivity in neurodegenerative disease.

The role involves developing tissue prep for cleared/expanded tissues and light sheet microscopy, collaborating across proteomics, genomics, and therapeutic teams.

Qualifications

• Experience in cellular and circuit neuroscience.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead breakthrough research and deployment of state-of-the-art methods in cellular and circuit neuroscience.
• Contribute to forming and participating in a larger discovery science effort to understand the cellular, molecular and circuit basis of neurodegenerative diseases.
• Advise and mentor a group of scientists and technicians performing proteomic and connectomic studies in human brain tissues.
• Contribute to Alzheimer’s research as part of the Seattle Alzheimer’s Disease Brain Cell Atlas (SEA-AD) consortium.
• Work collaboratively across teams working in related technological or disease-centric areas.
• Develop and establish scalable methods for cleared and/or expanded techniques in human tissues.
• Develop high-affinity reagents for specific labeling of relevant.

Job description

Associate Investigator - Brain disease proteomics and connectomics

The Allen Institute accelerates science for a healthier world through large-scale research designed to answer some of the most complex questions in biology. Our multi-disciplinary teams generate foundational knowledge, tools, and data to understand how our brain, cells, and immune system work. We share our work openly so others can build on it, move faster, and ask bigger questions. We drive discovery forward and create new possibilities for improving human health.

The Allen Institute has launched a new moonshot initiative on human brain health and disease called the Brain Health accelerator. This initiative aims to dramatically accelerate our understanding of human brain structure and function, identify the molecular, cellular and circuit basis of disease progression, and pioneer new therapeutic strategies targeting vulnerable and affected cell types. Our mission focuses on taking a human-centric approach to understanding and treating disease, combining a large-scale open science discovery approach across multiple diseases, AI-based disease modeling, and translational programs in specific diseases to move from discovery to clinical application. The major focus will be on neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Lewy Body Dementia, Huntington’s and ALS. We aim to make transformational change in understanding and treating brain disorders, the biggest health challenge of our time.

We are seeking an outstanding individual to lead a program in proteomic and connectomic analysis of human brain tissues in health and disease, including the study of cell-type selective changes in synaptic connectivity associated with neurodegenerative disease. This will involve technological development such as optimization of methods for human tissue preparation for cleared and/or expanded tissues and light sheet microscopy, and biological studies of disease phenotypes. This role will work closely with teams working on proteomic analysis of human and mouse tissues, single cell and spatial genomics profiling, data analysis and modeling, and cell- and circuit-targeted therapeutic development. The successful candidate will be an established, recognized researcher in cellular and circuit biology with a strong track record of research and publication. Part of this research will focus on Alzheimer’s disease as part of the Seattle Alzheimer's Disease Brain Cell Atlas (SEA-AD) consortium.

The ideal candidate is a self-motivated team player who is willing to push the boundaries of human neuroscience and disease research through scientific leadership, individual and team contributions and continuing scholarship on the ever-changing landscape. The successful candidate will also have excellent communication skills that can represent our efforts to our stakeholders internally and in external forums.

The Allen Institute offers exceptional working conditions, and nurtures team science in an intellectually rich and stimulating setting. We provide a highly collaborative research environment offering the opportunity to interface closely with our molecular and cell biologists, bioinformaticians, and partner Institutions. This is an Associate Investigator position comparable to an Associate Professor in a University/Medical School setting.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone - and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.

We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Essential Functions

• Lead breakthrough research and deployment of state-of-the-art methods in cellular and circuit neuroscience
• Contribute to forming and participating in a larger discovery science effort to understand the cellular, molecular and circuit basis of neurodegenerative diseases
• Advise and mentor a group of scientists and technicians performing proteomic and connectomic studies in human brain tissues
• Contribute to Alzheimer’s research as part of the Seattle Alzheimer’s Disease Brain Cell Atlas (SEA-AD)
• Work collaboratively across teams working in related technological or disease-centric areas
• Develop and establish scalable methods for cleared and/or expanded techniques in human tissues
• Develop high-affinity reagents for specific labeling of relevant