Neuropathology Research Scientist Brain and Body Donation Program

Banner Health; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Banner Health in Sun City, AZ, seeks an early-career PhD scientist to lead innovative research on aging and neurodegenerative diseases within the Brain and Body Donation Program. You will work with a rich legacy of clinicopathological data and tissue collections, aiming to publish high-impact studies and build national/international collaborations.

The role emphasizes independent project development, mentorship, grant activity, and collaborative work with clinicians and scientists to advance

Qualifications

• PhD in neuroscience, neuropathology, pathology, biomedical sciences, or related discipline with 3–4 years of postdoctoral experience.
• Strong record of peer‑reviewed publications (first author preferred).
• Experience with human tissue specimens or clinicopathological datasets preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead innovative research projects on neurodegenerative diseases using longitudinal datasets.
• Analyze and integrate multidisciplinary data and biospecimens to investigate disease mechanisms.
• Publish findings, present at conferences, and pursue grant opportunities.
• Collaborate with clinical and research teams to maximize scientific value of samples and data.

Skills

Postdoctoral experience

Scientific writing

Collaborative research

Education

PhD in neuroscience/ neuropathology

Job description

Primary City/State: Sun City, Arizona Department Name: Neuropathology Lab-Rsrch Work Shift: Day Job Category: Research

Join One of the World's Leading Clinicopathological Research Programs

The Banner Sun Health Research Institute Brain and Body Donation Program (BBDP) is seeking an outstanding early-career PhD scientist to join our multidisciplinary research team studying aging and neurodegenerative diseases. This position offers a rare opportunity to build an independent research program within one of the most extensively characterized longitudinal clinicopathological cohorts in the world. For nearly three decades, the BBDP has combined prospective clinical evaluations with comprehensive postmortem neuropathological assessments, creating an exceptionally rich resource for investigations of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body disorders, and related neurodegenerative conditions. The successful candidate will have access to extensive human brain and body tissue collections linked to detailed clinical, neuropsychological, neuropathological, genetic, imaging, and biomarker data. The position provides broad opportunities to develop and lead research projects, publish high-impact studies, establish national and international collaborations, and contribute to major initiatives advancing the understanding of neurodegenerative disease and aging.

What You Will Do

Develop and lead innovative research projects focused on Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body disorders, and related neurodegenerative conditions using one of the world's most extensively characterized clinicopathological cohorts and its associated longitudinal clinical, imaging, biomarker, genetic, and neuropathological datasets.

Analyze and integrate multidisciplinary data and biospecimens to investigate disease mechanisms, resilience, progression, and clinicopathological relationships across aging and neurodegenerative disorders.

Lead and contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations, grant applications, and collaborative research initiatives, with opportunities to develop an independent area of scientific focus and establish national and international collaborations.

Work closely with clinical and research teams to integrate participant outcomes, longitudinal clinical observations, and neuropathological findings into impactful studies while helping maximize the scientific value of BBDP biological samples and data resources.

Serve as a scientific resource for internal and external investigators, study staff, program participants, donors, and families, communicating scientific concepts, explaining research objectives and findings, and addressing research-related questions in collaboration with program leadership.

Contribute to the scientific growth of BBDP, participating in collaborative initiatives, and fostering partnerships across academia, industry, and nonprofit organizations.

Qualifications

PhD in neuroscience, neuropathology, pathology, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline, with approximately 3-4 years (or more) of postdoctoral research experience. Demonstrated expertise in neuropathology and neurodegenerative disease research, with experience working with human tissue specimens and clinicopathological datasets strongly preferred. Strong record of peer-reviewed publications, including first-author manuscripts, along with excellent scientific writing, analytical, communication, and organizational skills. Experience studying Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body disorders, or related neurodegenerative conditions, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary research teams. Ability to communicate scientific concepts effectively to investigators, research staff, study participants, donors, and family members. Prior experience contributing to grant applications or obtaining research funding is welcomed but not required. Funding and infrastructure are available to support the successful candidate's research program, collaborations, and professional development.

Schedule and Location

Schedule: M-F 8am-430pm Location: Banner Research, 10515 W. Santa Fe Drive, Sun City, AZ.

Banner Alzheimer's Institute (BAI) was established in 2006 as Banner Health's first Center of Excellence. Banner Sun Health Research Institute (BSHRI) was founded in 1986. Our team is uniquely, passionately, and strategically committed to ending Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders without losing another generation, advancing oncology research to improve cancer prevention and treatment outcomes, and providing an unparalleled model of care for families facing these devastating diseases. Banner Research is committed to improving people's lives through comprehensive patient care and advances that capitalize on the best biomedical research. We intend to make a transformational difference in Alzheimer's disease, other neurodegenerative disorders, and oncology research and care.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position provides technical assistance in the areas of anatomical pathology through application and instruction and is responsible for complex clinical and research laboratory procedures and administrative duties to support the scope of the center. It oversees the performance and training of staff and includes supervision of Pathology Technicians and other laboratory employees.

CORE FUNCTIONS

1. Supervises preparatory logistics of human postmortem examinations: Supervises training and ongoing performance of Pathology Technicians and other laboratory staff and is also able to personally perform the following duties. Obtains perimortem clinical information from family/home care staff and arranges transportation of cadaver. Retrieves patient’s medical chart and other pertinent data for review by pathologist. Confers with the pathologist to identify any special techniques and procedures to be utilized in the completion of the postmortem examination. Advises department head of any unusual or potentially hazardous conditions relevant to the planned autopsy.
2. Supervises human postmortem examinations: Supervises training and ongoing performance of Pathology Technicians and other laboratory staff and is also able to personally perform the following duties. Performs postmortem examinations which may include: external examination; in situ organ inspection; evisceration; dissection. Dictates and/or records data such as organ weight, presence of body fluids, and gross anatomic findings. Recognizes and describes gross anatomic pathology. Selects, prepares and submits appropriate gross tissue samples as well as appropriate body fluids for research banking and diagnostic use. Performs database entry to provide records of autopsy findings and tissue obtained.
3. Fills research requests for tissue as well as needed clinical and pathological data, including consultation with researchers on their study design, especially in the area of appropriate subject and tissue selection, as well as inventory search, tissue retrieval from storage, tissue dissection as necessary, supervision of cryostat sectioning, shipping and database documentation of tissue requests and updated tissue inventory.
4. Photographs and/or supervises documentary photography of the body, organs, microscopic slides and other pertinent materials as needed.
5. Gathers and organizes clinical information and data and prepares a preliminary written summary of the clinical history. Supervises and/or performs written reports of gross autopsy findings.
6. Performs administrative, personnel supervision and training duties related to anatomic pathology, histology, research projects and research tissue banking protocols.
7. Assures the proper maintenance of essential equipment, the provision of adequate supplies and the cleanliness and orderliness of the autopsy suite, laboratory and tissue storage facilities.
8. Performs related work which may include animal surgery, histological procedures, analysis of microscopic slides or data, review and summary of scientific literature and writing of scientific reports and publications.
9. Customers are both external and internal to the organization and are primarily scientists who make tissue requests. Does come into contact with outside vendors, couriers, and professionals who bring specimens to the laboratory.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Candidates must have a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree, a strong background in anatomy and histology and a minimum of four years of relevant experience as a postdoctoral fellow.
• Must be organized and capable of supervising and training other staff.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain absolute confidentiality regarding specimens and the findings associated with the laboratory functions.
• Must be able to maintain good rapport with departmental personnel and be able to work flexible hours (e.g., evenings and weekends on-call).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD and additional education/experience in biomedical research involving human tissue.
• Eligible for a faculty appointment at the level of an Assistant or Associate Professor.
• Additional related education and/or experience preferred.

EEO Statement: EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Our organization supports a drug-free work environment.

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