Job Description

Position Overview

The Kurouski Laboratory in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Texas A&M University is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Postdoctoral Research Associate or Research Technician to lead and support research investigating the fundamental links between nutrition, lipid metabolism, and neurodegeneration.

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary, highly collaborative research environment bridging biophysics, molecular biology, and disease pathology. The project focuses on utilizing murine disease models and eukaryotic cell culture systems to uncover how specific dietary and metabolic interventions modulate neurodegenerative mechanisms, protein aggregation, and downstream cellular health.

Key Responsibilities

Manage, maintain, and execute in vivo studies utilizing transgenic and wild-type mouse models of neurodegenerative disease.
Oversee colony management, including animal breeding, weaning, genotyping, health monitoring, and tissue harvesting/processing.
Conduct in vitro studies using mammalian/eukaryotic cell lines (e.g., neuronal cultures, inducible expression systems).
Perform core molecular and cell biology assays, including molecular cloning, plasmid transfection/electroporation, stable cell line selection, RT-qPCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and cell viability/mitochondrial assays.
Collaborate closely with lab members across spectroscopic, biochemical, and biophysical analytical workflows.
Maintain rigorous experimental documentation, assist with lab safety protocols, analyze datasets, and contribute to manuscript preparation (postdoctoral level).
Qualifications

Required Qualifications

For Technician: B.S. or M.S. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Animal Science, Biomedical Sciences, or a related discipline with prior laboratory bench experience.
For Postdoc: Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Biophysics, or a related discipline with a record of peer-reviewed publication.
Hands-on experience working with laboratory mice (in vivo handling, dosing, tissue collection, and protocol adherence).
Demonstrated technical experience in eukaryotic cell culture and standard molecular biology techniques (nucleic acid isolation, PCR/RT-qPCR, protein analysis).
Excellent organizational, record-keeping, and communication skills, with an ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Preferred Qualifications

Direct experience with mouse colony management and breeding logistics (setting breeding pairs, pedigree tracking, ear-tagging/tail-snip genotyping).
Prior research experience in neurodegenerative models (e.g., TDP-43, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease) or nutritional/diet-intervention studies.
Familiarity with inducible mammalian cell culture systems (e.g., Tet-On/Dox-inducible platforms) or antibiotic selection kill curves.
Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit the following application materials as a single PDF to Dr. Dmitry Kurouski at [insert contact email]:

Cover Letter highlighting research experience, specifically detailing prior work with mouse models and cell/molecular techniques, and stating preferred position level (Technician vs. Postdoc).
Curriculum Vitae (CV) including full publication list.
Contact Information for 2–3 Professional References.
Texas A&M University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.