Investigating the role of genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease

Postdoctoral Fellowship at The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine.

The labs of Gareth Howell and Senior Research Scientist Michael Sasner at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine are seeking a postdoctoral fellow to investigate the role of genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Of relevance to this position, Drs. Sasner and Howell are two of the leads on MODEL-AD (Model Organism Development and Evaluation of Late-onset AD), an NIA-funded consortium charged with developing improved mouse models of AD for preclinical testing.  Drs. Sasner and Howell lead the Disease Modeling Project, which is responsible for creating novel mouse models expressing AD-relevant genetic risk factors and using translationally-relevant assays (e.g. fluid biomarkers, neuropathology, and multi-omics) to characterize disease progression.

The Howell lab utilizes genetic and multi-omic approaches to study neurodegenerative diseases including AD and related dementias (ADRDs).

Dr. Sasner has funded projects studying: novel knock-in familial AD mouse models; the impact of APOE status (including protective APOE variants) on AD-like phenotypes; interactions between Klotho haplotypes and APOE variants; and novel gene-replacement models for AD and ADRD. 

This position will benefit from joint mentoring from Drs. Sasner and Howell, interactions with MODEL-AD and other collaborators, as well the resources being generated by MODEL-AD.

The ideal candidate will have a PhD in Neuroscience, Genetics or a related discipline, a willingness to work in a team environment and a passion for understanding the relationship between genetic risk factors and neurodegenerative disease. Previous experience in mouse handling, surgical techniques, and bioinformatics is preferred but not essential.  Strong communication skills, including development of manuscripts, are essential.

For more information contact mike.sasner@jax.org or  gareth.howell@jax.org

JAX Salary:  

Year 0 - 1     $65,589  

Year 1 - 2     $67,318  

Year 2 - 3     $69,095  

Year 3 - 4     $70,521  

Year 4 - 5     $72,877  

Year 5 - 6     $75,569  

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org​​​​​​​.

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.