Professional Researcher in Molecular Imaging and Neurobiology of Neurodegenerative Proteinopathies

The Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases at UCSF, in the Sandler Neurosciences Center at Mission Bay, studies how the conformational heterogeneity, maturation and transmission of proteopathic assemblies (prions) of tau, amyloid-beta and alpha-synuclein differ across neural cell types and diseases. The Professional Researcher helps manage and contributes to the Condello Lab's program in ex vivo human molecular neuropathology, biochemistry and advanced optical imaging of postmortem brain from Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia with tauopathy.

Work covers procurement and characterization of human brain samples, iPSC-derived neural cell models and transgenic rodents; molecular labeling, confocal fluorescence-lifetime and spectral imaging; protein and cell enrichment; development of molecular probes as potential diagnostic agents; and, as projects mature, spatial transcriptomics (MERSCOPE), MALDI mass-spectrometry imaging and small-animal PET. The role includes lab coordination, training junior scientists, manuscript preparation and grant writing.

Salary estimate USD 96,700-257,100. Review of applications began on 13 August 2026; the final application date is 29 January 2028. Applications received after the review date are considered only if the position has not been filled.

Doctorate in neuroscience, cellular and molecular biology, biotechnology or a related field; 5+ years of experience in molecular and optical imaging (sample preparation, fluorescence microscopy, high-throughput data collection, computational and statistical analysis); 5+ years working with animal models of aging and neurodegeneration and with postmortem human brain samples; experience training users on instruments and protocols. Preferred: at least five years of postdoctoral experience in ex vivo human tissue and in vivo rodent work, advanced optical imaging, image-analysis bioinformatics and cell isolation by magnetic beads or FACS. Submit a CV, cover letter and three references.