Associate Research Scientist

The Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (CTCN), in the Department of Neurology at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) is a hub for large-scale translational human studies that integrate rigorous application of advanced laboratory techniques with cutting-edge computational methods. The CTCN includes a Neuroimmunology Core that is part of the national Alzheimer's Disease Research Center network in the U.S., and it specializes in the optimization and deployment of novel experimental platforms to support the projects of CTCN investigators and collaborators involving Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis, neurodegeneration, and immune aging. Currently, we are looking for a new team member to join our research effort as a non-tenure associate research scientist and lead our immunosenescence projects. We have been funded by the NIH to develop multi-omic trajectories of human immuno-senescence using longitudinally collected PBMC from participants in diverse aging cohorts. In one project, the candidate will be responsible for helping to optimize a multi-modal PBMC profile and will then lead and supervise the execution of the experimental pipeline for 1000 participants at each of three-time points over 5 years. Technologies to be deployed may include cytometry, bulk RNA sequencing, and proteomic profiling, various single cell-related technologies for transcriptomic, epigenomic, and proteomic profiling, as well as emerging single-cell proteomic techniques. Functional evaluations - analyte secretion, metabolic activity, antigen presentation...- will also be performed. The preferred candidate will have strong experience in miniaturizing experiments to reduce the number of cells needed for a given profiling technique, will have excellent organizational skills and be able to supervise multiple team members in parallel as different profiles are generated from the same PBMC aliquot. This position will involve running experiments concurrently with team members. The candidate must therefore have the ability to work effectively in a team environment as all experimental work is deeply integrated with the computational team that includes dedicated staff scientists for data pre-processing and QC. Excellent communication and organization skills as well as the ability to work independently are mandatory for this position.

Minimum qualifications

- PhD or equivalent in immunology-related field science and at least three years of postdoctoral or staff scientist experience in a laboratory or research-based environment

- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, writing, and verbal communication skills

- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to manage multiple and competing demands and establish priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

- Proficiency in Flow Cytometry.

- Experience in human or mouse immunology.

- Experience with executing milestone-driven projects.

- Ability to learn new protocols and platforms.

- Ability to create budgets.

- Ability to multitask and work on different projects simultaneously.