Careers

The Regenerative Research Foundation/Neural Stem Cell Institute has open positions for research personnel.

Lab Technician: Vision & Neurodegeneration Research

The Arduini lab is seeking a highly motivated candidate to work as a research technician studying vision and degenerative diseases of the nervous system. This position will provide on-the-job training for the right individual.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Assist in conducting research experiments using techniques such as:

molecular biology (bacterial culture & transformation, plasmid DNA preparation)
PCR amplification of genomic and plasmid DNA
preparation of protein and nucleic acid cell lysates
protein analysis by ELISA and immunostaining
light and fluorescence microscopy

Assisting in the maintenance and preservation of cell lines, including human stem cell lines
Maintain lab notebook and electronic records
Analyze data using computer software and statistical methods
Assist with data preparation for publication
Follow lab safety protocols
Learn and master new techniques and procedures as needed

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in biology, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, bioengineering or related subjects.

Must be personable, flexible, proactive, demonstrate a positive “can do” attitude, possess excellent organizational and communication skills and take pride in their work.
Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, faculty, and staff.
Ability to maintain a comprehensive, up-to-date, and accurate research lab notebook.
Visual concentration, attention to detail and manual dexterity are required.
Must be willing to learn new laboratory skills.
Must be able to work independently as well as in a team environment to accomplish the required tasks.
Should be comfortable with basic computer programs such as MS Word and Excel.
Able to work under general supervision and proceed alone on regular tasks.

Preferred Qualifications: Familiar with basic molecular biological, cell biological, biochemical techniques and/or sterile cell culture techniques. Experience with writing scripts and programming (Excel, ImageJ, R) is a plus.

Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate has been selected. To be considered, please email a cover letter, resume and contact information for at least two references to Brigitte Arduini (brigittearduini@neuralsci.org) with “Lab Technician Position” in the subject line.

Postdoctoral Fellow Position – Development of Novel Intracellular Antibody Therapeutics for Neurodegenerative Disorders

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join the Butler lab. The primary focus of this position is to develop novel intracellular antibody (intrabody) therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders caused by misfolded proteins, with the ultimate goal of advancing these therapeutics from preclinical to clinical pipelines.

Research:

Numerous neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Alzheimer’s Disease, share a common molecular pathway involving protein misfolding. This misfolding generates toxic species and triggers pathogenic cascades in the CNS. The Butler lab’s long-term goal is to develop immunotherapeutics that protect against these disorders by targeting mutant Huntington, synuclein, and tau proteins for degradation. Through recombinant antibody technologies, innovative bifunctional intrabody reagents will be developed to specifically prevent misfolding of neurodegenerative proteins. These reagents will direct the proteins into normal clearance pathways in iPSC-derived neurons, replicating disease phenotypes observed in the human brain. The research will employ advanced techniques such as CRISPR-edited iPSCs, iPSC-derived organoids, RNASeq/single-cell transcriptome analysis, immunoprecipitation, FACS sorting, and immunofluorescence.

Requirements:

The position requires a highly motivated individual with a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD degree who aspires to develop an independent research career.

The ideal applicant will possess:

Protein Characterization: Skills in SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, ELISA, and immunoassays for assessing antibody quality, specificity, and functionality.
Molecular Biology Techniques: Strong skills in DNA manipulation, PCR, cloning, gene expression, and recombinant protein expression.
Cell Culture Techniques: Experience in cell culture, including maintaining cell lines, transfection/transduction methods, and mammalian expression systems.
Analytical Techniques: Proficiency in flow cytometry, SPR, BLI, ELISAs, and other analytical methods for antibody screening, characterization, and affinity determination.
Antibody Engineering: Proficiency in antibody engineering techniques, including structure and function, library construction, screening, humanization, affinity maturation, and production/purification.
Immunology Knowledge: Solid understanding of antigen-antibody interactions, immune response mechanisms, antibody isotypes, and immunological assays.
Bioinformatics and Data Analysis: Proficiency in bioinformatics tools for analyzing antibody sequences, predicting antigen binding sites, and interpreting experimental data.
Problem-Solving and Experimental Design: Strong problem-solving skills and ability to optimize experiments, enhancing antibody affinity, specificity, and stability.

Career Development

Candidates can expect active mentorship and a positive, success-oriented work environment, providing opportunities for professional growth and development in both academic and industry career paths. Regular meetings with the Principal Investigator (PI) will ensure that mutual expectations are met. Engaging in the latest advancements, scientific literature, conferences, and scientific communities is encouraged. Additional resume-building activities will be encouraged to support the goal of becoming an independent faculty or research scientist.

Application: Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate has been selected. Interested applicants should email a cover letter, an updated CV, complete contact information for three references (1-2 pages) to nsci-hr@neuralsci.org

Research Technician: Intrabody Therapeutics

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Technician to join the Butler lab.

Research:

Join our team in investigating the shared molecular pathway of protein misfolding in various neurodegenerative diseases. Your role will involve supporting the development of immunotherapeutics through targeted degradation of huntingtin, synuclein, and tau proteins to reduce cellular toxicity. We are a multidisciplinary lab that utilizes recombinant antibody technologies, CRISPR-edited iPSCs, iPSC-derived organoids, RNASeq/single-cell transcriptome analysis, immunoprecipitation, FACS sorting, and immunofluorescence.

Requirements:

We seek a highly motivated individual with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field, preferably with prior laboratory experience.

Ideal Candidate Will Possess:

Laboratory Skills: Proficiency in basic laboratory techniques, including molecular biology (PCR, cloning), protein characterization (Western blotting, ELISA), and cell culture (cell line maintenance).
Antibody Techniques: Familiarity with antibody-related techniques such as antibody production and purification, immunoassays, and antibody screening methods.
Analytical Techniques: Basic knowledge of analytical techniques used in antibody engineering, such as flow cytometry, ELISAs, and data analysis.
Research Aptitude: Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Adaptability: Willingness to learn new techniques and assist with various aspects of the research project.
Communication: Good written and verbal communication skills to effectively document experiments and collaborate with team members.

Career Development:

As a Research Technician, you will receive guidance and mentorship from experienced researchers. Opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills will be provided, supporting your professional growth in the field.

Application:

Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is selected. Interested applicants should email a cover letter, updated CV, and contact information for two references to nsci-hr@neuralsci.org