Research Fellow Neurology Korecka Lab

2200 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

The Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Inc. seeks a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join the Korecka Lab at BWH/HMS. The position focuses on an NIH-funded project examining how gut microbiome-driven neuroinflammation contributes to Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) using human iPSC-derived microglia and complex co-culture models.

The Fellow works with Dr. Joanna (Asia) Korecka at the Ann Romney Center, in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment.

Qualifications

• PhD, MD, MD/PhD or equivalent doctorate or anticipated to such degree prior to start.
• Strong publication track record.
• Experience with human iPSC culture and differentiation; microglial/neuronal differentiation and culture.
• Gene knockdown and overexpression assays, CRISPR-based genetic manipulation.
• RNAseq data analysis.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and in a team.
• Contributes to grant applications and scientific literature.

Responsibilities

• Work under supervision of Dr. Joanna (Asia) Korecka at the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases.
• Investigate neuroinflammatory and microbiome-driven pathways related to Parkinson’s disease dementia.
• Develop and use human stem cell-derived models and co-cultures to study neuroimmune mechanisms.
• Train technicians and visiting students; contribute to reports and publications.
• Contribute to grant applications and discovery of new technologies.

Skills

Strong publication record

iPSC culture

Microglia/neuronal differentiation

CRISPR-based manipulation

RNAseq data analysis

Team collaboration

Education

PhD/MD/MD-PhD or equivalent

Tools

CRISPR

RNAseq analysis tools

Job description

Site: The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join the Korecka Lab at BWH/HMS. The position will focus on an NIH-funded project investigating the neuroinflammatory and metabolomic mechanisms by which the gut microbiome contributes to Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). Using human stem cell-derived microglia and complex microglia–astrocyte–neuron co-culture models, the project will define microbiome-dependent pathways that drive neuroinflammation and contribute to PDD pathology. The Korecka Lab investigates genetic and neuroimmune mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases such as PD and genetic ataxia using patient‑derived iPSC models, cellular functional assays, neuronal activity assays, genetic manipulation, and transcriptomic approaches, with the goal of uncovering disease mechanisms and identifying new genetic therapy strategies. The Fellow will work under the supervision of Dr. Joanna (Asia) Korecka at the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. This is a highly collaborative training environment with exposure to multidisciplinary techniques in basic and clinical research. The Fellow will receive training, professional development, and mentorship during the appointment period. The appointment is time‑limited and should be for a term of no longer than 5 years, with a minimum commitment of 3 years. Compensation will follow NIH postdoctoral stipend levels.

Qualifications

• PhD, MD, MD/PhD or equivalent doctorate or anticipated to such degree prior to start
• Strong publication track record
• Experience with one or more of the following areas:
  • Human iPSC culture and differentiation
  • Background on human microglial, neuronal, or astrocytic differentiation and culture
  • Gene knockdown and overexpression assays, CRISPR-based genetic manipulation
  • RNAseq data analysis
• Self-motivated individual able to work both independently and in a team environment
• Researches, develops, designs, executes, and interprets research experiments related to the neuroimmune mechanisms in PD.
• Contributes to scientific literature, reports, journals, and presentations.
• Investigates, creates, and develops new methods and technologies for research advancement.
• Contributes to grant applications.
• Trains technicians and visiting students.

The successful candidate will have recently completed graduate studies in a PhD or MD/PhD program with a strong research and publication record in the biological sciences. Prior training in one field related to neuroscience, neuroimmunology, or genetics.

The candidate should have advanced experience in one or more of the following areas:

• (1) working with human stem cells
• (2) characterizing immune responses
• (3) live cell functional assays
• (4) generating and analyzing RNAseq and/or single-cell RNAseq data

Work will be performed at the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases in the Department of Neurology at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. This is a highly interdisciplinary training environment, with access to cutting edge technology and seminars related to both basic and clinical research.

The salary for this position ranges from $73,544 to $81,179.

EEO Statement

2200 The Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.

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