Postdoctoral Scholar-Fixed Term

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scholar to fill a prestigious MSU Research Foundation Postdoctoral Scholar position with two years of funding provided. The Postdoctoral Scholar will join a research lab focused on understanding the role of the tau protein in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies, particularly Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). The applicant will lead a project combining MERSCOPE-based protein labeling using disease-specific tau antibodies with MERFISH single-cell spatial transcriptomics in human PSP and control brain tissue to define the cell types and molecular pathways activated by early pathogenic tau accumulation. Top candidate genes will be validated using Drosophila tauopathy models, primary mouse neuron culture, and mouse models of tauopathy. Experimental duties may include rodent handling and husbandry, drosophila line crossing and maintenance, harvesting and culturing primary mouse neurons, Western blotting, DNA cloning, culturing of cell lines, fresh tissue processing, immunohistochemical staining, and other biochemical and molecular techniques. The applicant will take a leading role in collecting and analyzing data, writing manuscripts, and contributing to grant applications, with structured mentorship toward an independent academic career. The position is in the laboratory of Dr. Nicholas Kanaan in the highly collaborative and innovative Department of Translational Neuroscience, located at the MSU Grand Rapids Research Center, 400 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Terminal -Neuroscience, Transcriptomics, Neurodegenerative Disease

• The applicant should have a doctoral degree (or equivalent) in a scientific field, preferably molecular biology, neuroscience, genomics, transcriptomics or a related field with multiple years of experience in a research laboratory.
• Applicants should have experience performing basic research techniques in the specific or related field and a fundamental understanding of molecular and cellular biology as well as neuroscience.
• The candidate should be detail oriented and self-motivated with the ability to independently carry out research and must interact, communicate, and work well with others.
• The applicant must have a demonstrated record of publishing high quality research and have experience with statistical analysis of data.

• Experience/training in neuroscience and/or neurodegenerative disease research, single-cell or spatial genomics, and/or model-based validationof gene function is strongly desired.
• Applicants with experience in one or more of the following techniques will be preferred:1) Single-cell or spatial transcriptomics experience (e.g. MERFISH, Visium, scRNA-seq)and associated bioinformatic analysis2) Rodent (mice and/or rats) handling experience, including animal husbandry (colony maintenance and genotyping), stereotaxic surgery/AAV delivery, necropsy and post-mortem tissue processing3) Drosophila handling, including line crossing/maintenance, phenotypic screening (e.g. rough-eye assays), and fly brain analyses (e.g. histology).4) Advanced gene and protein analysis (e.g. Westernblotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR) and statistical analysis of data

• CV or resume
• cover letter highlighting past accomplishments and future career goals
• contact information for 3 or more references
• 1-2 representative publications

11/03/2026

Work with animals or unfixed animal tissue

http://translationalscience.msu.edu/

The Department of Translational Neuroscience (TransNeuro) acts as a catalyst for enhancing bidirectional opportunities for clinical, basic and translational research in neurodegenerative diseases. TransNeuro provides the physical infrastructure and intellectual assets to conduct preclinical and translational medical research in collaboration with clinical and basic science faculty throughout MSU, as well as with our strategic medical health partners in Grand Rapids (Van Andel Institute, Mercy Health Saint Mary's and Spectrum Hospital). We are also dedicated to providing educational and training opportunities to basic scientists and physician-scientists committed to disease-oriented research. TransNeuros research teams primarily focus on the study of Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

Advertised: Oct 26, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Oct 26, 2028 Eastern Daylight Time

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