Careers @ MSU

Position Summary

The Postdoctoral Scholar will join a research lab focused on understanding the role of the tau protein in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. The applicant will take the lead on carrying out research projects to understand how environmental exposures impact the development and progression of these diseases as well as identifying molecular mechanisms of tau-induced toxicity. The position will use a variety of techniques and model systems including rodent models, cell culture, and in vitro experimental techniques. The experimental duties may include rodent handling and husbandry, harvesting and culturing primary mouse neurons, Western blotting, DNA cloning, culturing of cell lines, fresh tissue processing, immunohistochemical staining, and other biochemical and molecular techniques. The applicant will take a leading role in collecting and analyzing data as well as writing manuscripts for publication. This is an excellent opportunity to grow and develop important skills necessary for career progression as an independent scientist. The position is in the laboratory of Dr. Benjamin Combs in the highly collaborative and innovative Department of Translational Neuroscience, located at the MSU Grand Rapids Research Center, 400 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI.
https://translationalscience.msu.edu/research-groups/combs-lab.html

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, or related fields

Minimum Requirements

• The applicant should have a doctoral degree (or equivalent) in a scientific field, preferably neuroscience or molecular biology, or a related field.
• Applicants should have experience performing basic research techniques in the specific or related field as well as a fundamental understanding of molecular and cellular biology as well as neuroscience.
• The candidate should be detail oriented and self-motivated with the ability to independently carry out research.
• Additionally, they must interact, communicate, and work well with others in a team-oriented environment.
• The applicant must have a demonstrated record of publishing high quality research and experience with statistical analysis of data.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience/training in neuroscience and/or neurodegenerative disease research, environmental toxicity research, or intracellular signaling pathways are strongly desired.
• Applicants with experience in one or more of the following techniques will be preferred: 
  • Rodent (mice and/or rats) handling experience. This includes animal husbandry (colony maintenance and genotyping), carrying out and analyzing behavioral experiments, necropsy and post-mortem tissue processing
  • Advanced microscopy including confocal, brightfield/fluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy
  • Advanced protein and or gene analysis (e.g. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, ddPCR/qRT-PCR)
  • Environmental exposure research

Required Application Materials

• CV or resume,
• cover letter highlighting past accomplishments and future career goals,
• contact information for 2-3 references

Review of Applications Begins On

03/20/2026

Summary of Health Risks

Work with animals or unfixed animal tissue

Website

http://translationalscience.msu.edu/

Department Statement

The Department of Translational Neuroscience (TransNeuro) is a research-intensive unit in the College of Human Medicine at MSU. In November of 2017, TransNeuro relocated to the new state-of-the-art Grand Rapids Research Center at Monroe Ave and Michigan Street in downtown Grand Rapids. The unit focuses on leveraging our individual expertise to work together in understanding and treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.