Associate Research Scientist

Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics invites applicants for a senior-level research position as an Associate Research Scientist. Candidates should have strong scientific and postdoctoral experience. Responsibilities will include running a vibrant research program, mentoring graduate students and postdocs, creating high-quality presentations, communicating with internal and external collaborators, and active participation in the Department’s programs and activities. The Associate Research Scientist may oversee the work of more junior research staff and may direct the implementation of laboratory processes/protocols.

The Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics in the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons is focused on advancing biomedical research through the study of molecular genetics, chemical biology, and structural biology to identify specific and novel targets to modify the function of living systems and impact disease response. The Department bridges basic and clinical science, and the research of faculty members spans such diverse problems as the identification of molecular signals that determine whether a cell lives or dies to the discovery of new drugs that control cardiac rhythm in heart disease; use of inducible pluripotent stems as drug screening platforms; the physiology and pharmacology of pain pathways; mechanistic studies of schizophrenia; x-ray crystallography of GABAB receptors and pharmacology and physiology of GABAA receptors.

Areas of research encompassed by the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics are broad and based on synergistic interactions between basic science and clinical research. The main research interests include Cancer Biology, Molecular Cardiology, Neuropharmacology, Signal Transduction, and Structural and Chemical Pharmacology. Members of the department conduct research to improve understanding of the normal functioning of living systems, of the abnormalities of function that cause and result from disease or the toxic action of chemicals, and of the manner in which abnormal function can be modified or prevented by chemicals or other interventions.