Post Doctoral Research Fellow

Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Microscopy Core Manager

McLean Hospital is a comprehensive psychiatric hospital committed to providing easy access to superior quality, cost-effective mental health services in the Boston area, Massachusetts and beyond. Since 1811, McLean Hospital has been a world leader in the treatment of mental illness and chemical dependency, research into the cause of mental illness and the training of generations of mental health care providers.

McLean's multidisciplinary programs treat a broad range of psychiatric illnesses across the full continuum of care. All McLean team members are expected to consistently demonstrate our values of integrity, compassion, respect, diversity, teamwork, excellence and innovation in their work activities and interactions.

A post-doctoral fellow typically holds dual affiliations at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School. There are many opportunities for education and growth in our multidisciplinary, collaborative research environment at McLean Hospital that brings together a diverse group of neurobiologists, clinicians, psychologists and statisticians.

With supervision and guidance, responsibilities of the Postdoctoral Research Fellow will include:

• Performs independent and highly specialized experimental procedures
• Designs and implements modifications of research protocols
• Troubleshooting problems and instructing colleagues in highly specialized techniques
• Synthesizes and interprets results
• Performs advanced data recording and analysis using various software programs and statistical techniques
• Maintaining organized and detailed records of laboratory experiments in electronic laboratory notebooks
• Presentation of results at lab meetings and national conferences
• Preparation and submission of research manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals
• Assisting with preparation of grant applications
• Other duties as assigned

A successful candidate will:

• Work independently under general direction of the Principal Investigator
• Be motivated, meticulous, organized, and detail-oriented
• Demonstrate initiative and enthusiasm for learning new techniques
• Have strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Possess strong technical abilities and computer science skills
• Possess exceptional written and oral communication skills as demonstrated by publications and presentation
• Possess the ability to make independent and effective decisions in a timely fashion
• Possess competence in research techniques and methodologies
• Have excellent interpersonal skills
• Be a team player who works well with other lab members

The Translational Neuroscience Laboratory at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School seeks a highly motivated scientist for a combined position as a postdoctoral fellow and Manager of the McLean Hospital Microscopy Core. This position offers a distinctive opportunity to pursue research on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders while providing scientific and operational leadership for a shared advanced-microscopy facility.

The fellow will be encouraged to develop independent research questions within this program and will contribute to experimental design, data analysis and interpretation, scientific presentations, manuscript preparation, and grant applications.

In parallel with the postdoctoral research program, the successful candidate will manage the scientific, technical, operational, and financial activities of the McLean Hospital Microscopy Core. The Core Manager will serve as a front-line scientific resource for McLean investigators and external users, providing expert guidance on microscopy-based study design, sample preparation, data acquisition, image processing, and quantitative analysis.

The Core Manager will oversee the overall functioning of the facility, coordinate instrument access and maintenance, train and support users, supervise contracted technical services, and serve as a liaison among investigators, hospital administrative units, vendors, and external service providers.

The role also includes consultation on microscopy-related methods, project feasibility, budgeting, and appropriate use of Core resources.

Candidates should hold a PhD, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree in neuroscience, cell biology, molecular biology, biomedical imaging, neuropathology, or a related discipline. The position requires substantial hands-on experience with advanced microscopy and the scientific judgment needed to guide investigators in experimental design, image acquisition, analysis, and interpretation.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Demonstrated expertise in transmission electron microscopy and/or advanced fluorescence microscopy.
• Experience with biological sample preparation, ultramicrotomy, immuno-electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, two-photon microscopy, or quantitative image analysis.
• Knowledge of microscopy instrumentation, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and quality control.
• Experience training and supporting users with different levels of microscopy…