Postdoctoral Research Associate

at  USC

A position is open for a Postdoctoral Researcher with a strong background in cell/molecular biology and neurodegenerative disease to join the research laboratory of Dr. Annie Hiniker, Associate Professor of Pathology, University of Southern California. Applicants should hold (or soon receive) a Ph.D. in cellular/molecular biology, neurosciences, or a related discipline. This NIH-funded research project will study the cellular function and regulation of LRRK2 and mechanisms of LRRK2-associated Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis. The Postdoctoral Scholar will design and execute molecular and cellular assays to study putative genes and cellular pathways that may regulate LRRK2 activation and degradation. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in molecular biology and biochemistry, Parkinson’s disease and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as pathways involved in protein degradation and proteostasis.

RESEARCH DESCRIPTION

The Hiniker lab uses cell biology and neuropathology to identify molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease. A major focus of the lab is the cell biology and neuropathology of LRRK2-driven Parkinson’s Disease. The focus of this project is to identify pathways involved in LRRK2 degradation and test their role in LRRK2-mediated neurotoxicity using cell and molecular biology, transcriptomics and immunostaining of human brain tissue, and collaborative work studying LRRK2 in iPSC-derived neurons and direct induced neurons.

Please refer the Job description for details