Post Doctoral Fellow

Posting Summary

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Posting Number	STA01194PO23
Job Family	Research
Job Function	Research
USC Market Title	Post Doctoral Fellow
Link to USC Market Title	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/133714
Job Level	R1 - Research
Business Title (Internal Title)	Post Doctoral Fellow
Campus	Columbia
Work County	Richland
College/Division	College of Arts and Sciences
Department	CAS Biological Sciences
State Pay Band	Unclassified
Approved Starting Salary	$56,484
Advertised Salary Range	$56,484 - Commensurate with qualifications
Location of Vacancy
Part/Full Time	Full Time
Hours per Week	37.5
Work Schedule	Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Basis	12 months
Job Search Category	Post-doctoral

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Inclusive Excellence Statement

At the University of South Carolina, we strive to cultivate an inclusive environment that is open, welcoming, and supportive of individuals of all backgrounds. We recognize diversity in our workforce is essential to providing academic excellence and critical to our sustainability. The University is committed to eliminating barriers created by institutional discrimination through accountability and continuous process improvement. We celebrate the diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences of our employees.

Benefits for FTE Positions

The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the About Benefits section on the Applicant Portal at uscjobs.sc.edu.

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary	The Welshhans Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of South Carolina is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to work on NIH-funded studies examining the local translation of mRNAs in axons during neural development. The candidate, under the general supervision of the PI, will use advanced molecular and cellular techniques to study the interplay between adhesion and local translation during axon guidance. The ultimate goal of this work is to gain novel information about how the extracellular environment influences intra-axonal translation to mediate brain development. These research questions will be answered using a combination of cell biology, molecular biology, and advanced microscopy techniques, including TIRF microscopy and live cell imaging. The candidate will write manuscripts and reports on their research, present their research in group settings, and have access to opportunities to further their professional development. · The postdoctoral fellow will design and perform molecular and cellular neurobiology experiments, examining how adhesion regulates local translation during development, in primary mouse cortical and hippocampal neurons and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC)-derived neurons. This work will be executed independently (with guidance from the PI) to collect novel data on the complex processes underlying brain development. · To complete the above molecular and cellular neurobiology experiments, the postdoctoral fellow must conduct a variety of cell culture tasks. These include primary cell culture of mouse cortical and hippocampal neurons, culture and differentiation of hiPSCs, and maintenance of human cell lines. This work will be executed independently. · The postdoctoral fellow will conduct research design and implementation. This includes experimental design, recording experimental procedures, analyzing data, and interpreting results. This work also requires reading scientific literature that is relevant to the fellow’s research project. This work is necessary for the fellow to manage and develop their research project, and will be conducted independently, with guidance from the PI. · The postdoctoral fellow will attend and present data at lab meetings and other relevant meetings, and assist in the preparation of progress reports, manuscripts, and other materials for research dissemination. This work will be conducted independently, with guidance from the PI, and is needed to receive feedback on the research project and disseminate novel data to the research community. · - The postdoctoral fellow will supervise and mentor undergraduate and graduate student researchers. This task will be completed independently and will further the scientific and professional development of the fellow through learning how to supervise and direct the research of their mentees. · The postdoctoral fellow will participate in career development activities and other training activities, including safety training. This training will take place in small group or classroom settings and is necessary to ensure safety in the laboratory and further the development of the fellow as an independent scientist.
Minimum Qualifications	A terminal degree (PhD) in Neuroscience or a related discipline (such as Developmental Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology)
Preferred Qualifications	Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Developmental Biology, Cell Biology, or Molecular Biology. Previous expertise with fluorescence microscopy, neuronal cell culture, induced pluripotent stem cell culture, and/or other molecular/cellular techniques is preferred, but not required. Strong candidates will demonstrate evidence of independence, have effective oral and written communication skills, and can collaborate with others.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities	The individual must be able to design, conduct, and analyze experimental research. They must also be able to work independently and participate in a team. They must conduct business lawfully and ethically by consistently adhering to compliance policies, procedures, and regulations.

Job Duties

Job Duty	Design and perform molecular and cellular neurobiology experiments, examining how adhesion regulates local translation during development, in primary mouse cortical and hippocampal neurons and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC)-derived neurons. This work will be executed independently (with guidance from the PI) to collect novel data on the complex processes underlying brain development.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	40

Job Duty	Complete molecular and cellular neurobiology experiments and conduct a variety of cell culture tasks. These include primary cell culture of mouse cortical and hippocampal neurons, culture and differentiation of hiPSCs, and maintenance of human cell lines. This work will be executed independently
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	15

Job Duty	Conduct research design and implementation. This includes experimental design, recording experimental procedures, analyzing data, and interpreting results. This work also requires reading scientific literature that is relevant to the fellow’s research project. This work is necessary for the fellow to manage and develop their research project, and will be conducted independently, with guidance from the PI
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	15

Job Duty	Attend and present data at lab meetings and other relevant meetings, and assist in the preparation of progress reports, manuscripts, and other materials for research dissemination. This work will be conducted independently, with guidance from the PI, and is needed to receive feedback on the research project and disseminate novel data to the research community.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	10

Job Duty	Oversee and mentor undergraduate and graduate student researchers. This task will be completed independently and will further the scientific and professional development of the fellow through learning how to supervise and direct the research of their mentees
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	10

Job Duty	Participate in career development activities and other training activities, including safety training. This training will take place in small group or classroom settings and is necessary to ensure safety in the laboratory and further the development of the fellow as an independent scientist.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	10

Position Attributes

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive	No
Hazardous weather category	Non-Essential

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies	1
Desired Start Date	01/01/2024
Job Open Date	09/20/2023
Job Close Date	01/11/2024
Open Until Filled	Yes
Special Instructions to Applicant	Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. We are only accepting applications submitted by December 29, 2023. The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to: Health and Life Insurance Retirement Programs Paid Tuition Dependent Scholarships Annual Leave Sick Leave 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday) Paid Parental Leave Professional Development Opportunities Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.
Quicklink for Posting	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/153678
EEO Statement	The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, transgender status, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.