Staff Scientist, Decoding Stress Project

Staff Scientist, Decoding Stress Project

Are you a scientist looking to take your career to the next level?

PNRI is recruiting a Staff Scientist to play a leadership role in the Decoding Stress project based in the laboratory of Lisa Stubbs, current Chief Scientific Officer and Senior Investigator at PNRI.  This position offers the opportunity for a driven and highly motivated scientist to develop a track record and experience in project leadership in a supportive, highly collaborative, mentored setting with potential for professional growth. The collaborative project, originally developed in collaboration with human geneticist Dr. David Galas, is focused on uncovering genetic mechanisms that underlie susceptibility or resilience to stress-related health disorders with particular focus on how brain stress response impacts both metabolic and mental health (https://pnri.org/stubbs-lab/decoding-stress/).  The project involves identification of genetic alleles and modifiers in clinical populations, integrated closely with experimental genetic, genomic and molecular studies for novel mechanistic insights. Our ultimate goal is to translate these findings back to the clinics to improve diagnostics and facilitate the development of new therapeutic strategies.  

The ideal candidate will be an ardent, collaborative, and dynamic individual who brings expertise in human genetics and a demonstrated knowledge of stress biology into the team.  Working knowledge of relevant statistical and computational methods, and an interest and experience in translational approaches, would be a significant plus. Experience working as member of a collaborative team is highly desirable; interest and ability for teamwork and collaboration is a must. The Staff Scientist will help establish and manage relationships with physicians and researchers working with relevant clinical populations and will also be involved in the design, interpretation and execution of laboratory experiments.  As a senior member of the project team, the Staff Scientist will actively contribute to scientific publications and pursuit of funding opportunities and will be encouraged and mentored to develop novel ideas, research areas, and independent funding as the project progresses.

What you will do:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Design, develop, implement, and execute scientific research for the Decoding Stress study as part of the multidisciplinary team.
• Develop and implement new research methodologies, instrumentation, analytical procedures, and applications.
• Actively work to establish relationships with potential collaborators working with relevant clinical populations.
• Participate in the design, analysis, interpretation and communication of study data.
• Contribute to scientific publications, conferences, and the pursuit of funding opportunities.
• Help coordinate activities of staff engaged on the Decoding Stress project.

What you bring:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should be able to demonstrate the requirements listed below which are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent) with work experience relevant to the aims of the Decoding Stress project is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in the analysis and interpretation of GWAS data, including the relevant computational tools, will be a plus.
• Verified training and expertise in the biology of stress response and stress-related disorders, including genetic, endocrinological and/or neurological systems.
• Proven experience in developing and managing new collaborations with basic science and clinical contacts.
• Demonstrated motivation and ability to translate research-generated insights into advances that improve the human condition, preferred.
• Proven ability and enthusiastic interest in working as a member of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.
• Strongly developed interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate a broad scientific vision to both scientists and non-scientists.

PNRI is committed to creating a diverse environment and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

How to apply:

The annual base salary for this position is from $70,000 to $85,000 and the wage offered will be based on experience and qualifications.

PNRI requires vaccination for COVID 19 as a condition of employment. Please see www.pnri.org for more information.

To apply, please complete and submit the application form below.