Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Position Overview

Advocate Aurora Research Institute (AARI) is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative postdoctoral fellow to join our multidisciplinary team and assist with advancing research within our Adult Down syndrome Center (ADSC). The ADSC is currently the largest clinic in the United States dedicated to serving adolescents and adults with Down syndrome. This unique opportunity will enable the successful candidate to contribute to groundbreaking research aimed at expanding healthcare guidelines for individuals with Down syndrome to promote health and psychosocial wellness.

One of our major initiatives has been to create a dataset to identify temporal disease clusters and characterize disease pathways among individuals with Down syndrome relative to a matched non‑Down syndrome cohort. Using this database, a fellow will have the opportunity to address various research questions, with a preference for candidates who can assist with addressing early onset Alzheimer’s risk factors, age‑specific disease onset patterns, healthcare utilization patterns, or metabolic disease clustering.

• Performs cell preparations and cultures; maintains cell lines and analyzes cell cultures and/or suitable animal tissues, including human tissues.
• Performs analyses using biochemical techniques.
• Establishes database management system.
• Produces abstracts and manuscripts for publication and presentation at scientific meetings.
• Assists with preparation of grant applications.
• Develops new methodology in sample preparation, and analysis of samples for molecular and biochemical analyses.
• Instructs and trains other laboratory employees in the use of laboratory instruments, equipment, and techniques.
• Coordinates with other researchers.

• Involves long periods of sitting or standing and some walking.
• Occasional lifting is necessary.
• Must be able to work with small mammals.

• MD, PhD, or both in proteomics, biochemistry, biology, bioinformatics, epidemiology, biostatistics, neuroscience, or public health.
• 3 years of relevant pre‑doctoral research experience required.
• Experience in cell cultures, biochemical techniques such as subcellular fractionation, MudPIT, and Western blot analysis preferred.
• Prior experience in database establishment and scripting languages preferred.
• Experience in Down syndrome research is preferred.
• Experience with real‑world data and advanced statistical analyses using tools such as STATA, SAS, R, or similar.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated career interest relative to the ADSC mission.

• Clean and analyze quantitative data for manuscript preparation.
• Lead and contribute to the writing of peer‑reviewed publications.
• Develop and assist in the preparation of pilot projects and grant proposals.
• Present research findings at professional meetings and conferences.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams across diverse projects.
• Participate in career development activities and AARI and ADSC initiatives.
• Manage projects including preparing IRB submissions, grant submissions and reporting, conference preparations, etc.

• A Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, neuroscience, public health, or a related field.
• Experience in Down syndrome research is preferred.
• Experience with real‑world data and advanced statistical analyses using tools such such as STATA, SAS, R, or similar.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated career interest relative to the ADSC mission.

The fellow will be supervised by the Director of Scientific Programs at AARI and will work closely with AARI Scientists and the Medical Director of the ADSC.

This is a remote position with some in‑person meetings as needed. Employees of AARI may work in AL, AR, AZ, DE, FL, GA, IA, , IL, IN, LA, KS, KY, ME, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NM, NV, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV, WY. Remote work is not permitted in CA, CO, CT, DC, HI, MA, MD, MN, NJ, NY, OR, RI, VT, WA.