Postdoctoral Scientist, iPSC Neurobiology & Neuron–Glia

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 123,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

401(k) plan

Vacation benefits

Well-being benefits

Job summary

Lilly invites a postdoctoral scientist to join a high‑visibility program at the intersection of human iPSC biology, neuroscience, and functional genomics. You will develop iPSC-derived neuron-glia co‑culture models and apply MEA and patch‑clamp methods to study network dynamics in psychiatry research.

The role requires a PhD and strong publication record, excellent communication, and the ability to work independently while collaborating with computational biology, medicinal chemistry, and

Qualifications

• PhD in Neuroscience, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or closely related field.
• Experience with human iPSC culture and differentiation, or neuron-glia biology.
• Strong publication record demonstrating scientific productivity and independence.
• Authorized to work in the United States full-time; Lilly will not sponsor work authorization or visas.

Responsibilities

• Develop and characterize human iPSC-derived tri- and quad-culture models containing excitatory neurons, inhibitory neurons, astrocytes, and potentially microglia to study neuron-glia interactions in psychiatry-relevant contexts.
• Apply multielectrode array (MEA) electrophysiology and automated patch-clamp to assess network dynamics and single-cell excitability in iPSC co-culture models.
• Utilize mRNA lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery for transient gene overexpression and perturbation (including CRISPR knockout/interference) in iPSC cultures.
• Investigate functional consequences of psychiatric risk gene variants on astrocyte function and neuron-astrocyte signaling.
• Perform single-cell or single-nucleus RNA-Seq from co-culture models and apply pathway analysis to identify disease-associated gene modules and hub genes.
• Integrate multi-modal datasets (electrophysiological, morphological, transcriptomic) to establish mechanistic links between genetic perturbations and neuronal network dysfunction.
• Design and execute rescue experiments using pharmacological and genetic strategies to validate therapeutic hypotheses.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including computational biology, bioinformatics, medicinal chemistry, and external academic partners.
• Present findings at major scientific conferences and publish in high-impact peer-reviewed journals as first author.
• Maintain external awareness and learning to benefit the organization. Identify areas of key need to champion creative solutions.

Skills

Human iPSC culture

Neuronal differentiation protocols

Electrophysiology (MEA/patch-clamp)

Co-culture system development

Data integration / multi-modal分析

Scientific communication

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Neuroscience, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology or closely related field

Tools

Multielectrode array (MEA)

Automated patch-clamp (autopatcher)

CRISPR-based gene editing

LNP delivery systems

Single-cell RNA-Seq analysis

Job description

Lilly invites a postdoctoral scientist to join a high‑visibility program at the intersection of human iPSC biology, neuroscience, and functional genomics. You will develop iPSC-derived neuron-glia co‑culture models and apply MEA and patch‑clamp methods to study network dynamics in psychiatry research.

The role requires a PhD and strong publication record, excellent communication, and the ability to work independently while collaborating with computational biology, medicinal chemistry, and