Research Assistant

A research assistant position is available for a highly motivated candidate to join the Epigenetics and System Neuroscience laboratory headed by Dr. Carla Nasca at Nathan Kline Psychiatric Institute and NYU School of Medicine in New York. The collaborative, intellectually stimulating work environment at NKI and NYUSoM is an invaluable resource to conduct bold, innovative and creative science.

Our laboratory uses cutting-edge technologies, including genetic, molecular, circuit and computational (e.g., machine learning) tools combined single-cell big-data approaches. Our lab has also developed a platform for isolation of specific exosomes from rodent and human models.

We are working on an innovative model of epigenetic mechanisms of neuroplasticity to stress with a new angle on the communication between mitochondria and cell nuclei. Key to this framework is the pivotal mitochondrial metabolite L-acetyl-carnitine or LAC, which we discovered as a novel epigenetic modulator of glutamatergic function in key brain circuits and a promising therapeutic target for clinical phenotypes of depression and Alzheimer’s disease.

This growing framework provided the basis for exciting collaborations with colleagues in other renowned institutions to identify novel mechanisms of brain plasticity in the responses to pharmacological and neuromodulation treatments.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assist with and perform bold, cutting-edge basic and translational research

• Be eager to present research findings at lab meetings and conferences

• Be keen to learn, be highly motivated, work well with others, immerse himself/herself in ongoing research and be creative and proactive for new research directions.

Qualifications

• Motivation \& passion for Neuroscience is a must

• Preferred B.S. or B.A. degrees, e.g.: in Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, or related fields

• Lab experience required, such as molecular and biochemical techniques, e.g., qPCR, Western blot, ELISA and immunofluorescence

• Excellent organizational and communication skills, ability to work in an interdisciplinary \& collaborative team

• Knowledge of exosome biology is a plus

• • Animal experience preferred