Salary/Position Classification

• $55,000+/year DOE annual, Exempt
• This position will work onsite the Grand Forks, ND campus.

Purpose of Position

A Post-Doctoral Fellow position is available immediately in the laboratory of Dr. Xuesong Chen to conduct research related to infectious diseases, organelle cell biology, and neurodegenerative disorders. A primary focus of the lab is to understand the involvement of organelle cell biology in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders and infectious disorders. We have substantial funding and interests in the role of endolysosomes in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, HIV-associated neurodegenerative disorders, and COVID-19 associated neurological complications. We use a number of modern techniques including molecular and genetic manipulation of cells, flow cytometry, confocal imaging, calcium imaging, and a variety of biochemical methods.

Duties & Responsibilities

The applicant will design and conduct experiments outlined in funded grants as well as test new hypotheses related to the infectious disease (HIV-1) and neurodegenerative disorders. These experiments will include behavioral tests, histopathologic studies, and various analysis at the molecular and biochemical level. In addition to conducting experiments related to funded grants, the duties of the position will include reading and knowing the relevant literature, training lab personnel in the laboratory, attending and presenting at scientific meetings, and writing manuscripts. The successful candidate is expected to submit one first-author paper per year.

Minimum Requirements

• Ph.D. in neuroscience or related field
• Three years of post-doctoral experience
• Experience in 3 of the 5 following areas (as demonstrated in CV):
  Behavioral Studies; Neuroinflammation; Neurodegeneration; Endolysosomes (endosome, lysosome, and autophagosome) and/or interorganellar signaling; Age-related Neurological distorders including Alzheimer's disease and HIV-associated neurodegenerative disorders
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with behavioral studies in rodent animal models
• Demonstrated experience with molecular/genetic studies of organelle cell biology
• Demonstrated experience with histopathological examination for neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration
• Demonstrated ability to generate ideas worthy of receiving extramural funding

To Apply

To assure full consideration, applications must be received by 04/24/2026 and include the following materials:
• CV
• Contact information of three references