Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Accelerated Aging in the Human Brain

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives.

Position Overview
The Mavrikaki Lab at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Harvard Medical School is seeking a highly motivated and creative junior Postdoctoral Research Fellow to lead high-impact studies investigating the molecular mechanisms driving brain aging and cognitive decline.
Our laboratory integrates spatial transcriptomics, multi-omic approaches, advanced molecular biology, and in vivo mouse models to resolve key pathways underlying brain aging. Building upon our recent landmark work—including spatial transcriptomic and microRNA atlases of the adult lifespan human prefrontal cortex—the successful candidate will drive research exploring how specific cell populations regulate age-related cognitive function.
Key Responsibilities
• Multi-Omics & Molecular Profiling: Design and execute multi-omic pipelines (including spatial transcriptomics and bulk RNA-seq) alongside targeted tissue validation assays (RNAscope, RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry).
• In Vivo Rodent Studies: Lead rodent research utilizing stereotaxic viral deliveries, targeted manipulations, and behavioral phenotyping focused on cognitive assessment.
• In Vitro Target Validation: Contribute to the design of cell-based assays to functionally validate candidate molecular targets.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Collaborate across interdisciplinary teams, mentor junior laboratory members, and take a primary role in manuscript preparation, data presentation, and grant development.

Qualifications & Requirements
• Education: Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, or a closely related discipline. 0-2 years of postdoctoral research experience.
• Technical Expertise:
o Required: Strong foundational expertise in molecular biology techniques.
o Highly Preferred: Direct experience with rodent stereotaxic surgeries, and aging research.
o Preferred: Experience with in situ tissue analysis (RNAscope/spatial assays) or multi-omic datasets.
• Track Record: First-author publication record in peer-reviewed journals demonstrating productivity, critical thinking, and rigorous scientific execution.
• Professional Attributes: Exceptional written and verbal communication, strong organizational capabilities, and a collaborative mindset tailored to an interdisciplinary research environment.
What We Offer
• Vibrant Environment: Direct integration into a dynamic, well-funded research system at BIDMC and Harvard Medical School. Affiliation with both BIDMC and Harvard Medical School.
• Cutting-Edge Resources: Access to state-of-the-art core facilities, human tissue resources, advanced spatial transcriptomics infrastructure and bioinformatics support.
• Career Development: Personalized mentorship dedicated to scientific independence, fellowship application preparation, and career trajectory planning.

Job Description:

Primary Responsibilities:

- Abides by the institutional policies of BIDMC relating to health and safety, equality of opportunity and data storage and management. (essential)

- As a member of the research team, actively pursues research under the supervision of a principal investigator while developing skills for independent work. (essential)

- Receives training in and performs duties contributing to the investigational work of the team including formulation of research questions and design, conduct of experiments, and evaluation of results. (essential)

- Prepares and publishes scientific manuscripts under direction of PI. (essential)

- Develops expertise in desired lab skills/informatics/ physics/clinical research. Develops proficiency with research tools and equipment. Develops ability to work with more independence as the fellowship progresses (essential)

- Develops new ideas that promote current research; brings new expertise to the research program. (essential)

- teaching skills and provide supervision of students and their projects when appropriate. (essential)

- Engages in collaborative meetings with other research groups. Attends and leads scientific seminars. (essential)

- Learns to identify, acknowledge and correct deficiencies in one's own performance. (essential)

- Under the direction of PI, pursues/secures independent funding near the end of the fellowship. (essential)

Required Qualifications:

• Doctoral Degree or M.D.

• 0-1 year of postdoctoral research experience in academic or industrial lab setting, and/or teaching assistantship in a university setting, and/or residency, and/or clinical duties beyond that of the qualifying doctoral degree.

Competencies:

Decision Making: Ability to make decisions that are guided by general instructions and practices requiring some interpretation. May make recommendations for solving problems of moderate complexity and importance.

Problem Solving: Ability to address problems that are varied, requiring analysis or interpretation of the situation using direct observation, knowledge and skills based on general precedents.

Independence of Action: Ability to follow precedents and procedures. May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines. Seeks assistance when confronted with difficult and/or unpredictable situations. Work progress is monitored by supervisor/manager.

Written Communications: Ability to summarize and communicate in English moderately complex information in varied written formats to internal and external customers.

Oral Communications: Ability to comprehend and communicate complex verbal information in English to medical center staff, patients, families and external customers.

Knowledge: Ability to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of concepts, practices and policies with the ability to use them in complex varied situations.

Team Work: Ability to lead collaborative teams for larger projects or groups both internal and external to the Medical Center and across functional areas. Results have implications for the management and operations of multiple areas of the organization.

Customer Service: Ability to provide a high level of customer service and staff training to meet customer service standards and expectations for the assigned unit(s). Resolves service issues in the assigned unit(s) in a timely and respectful manner.

Physical Nature of the Job:
Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently to move objects. Some elements of the job are sedentary, but the employee will be required to stand for periods of time or move throughout the hospital campus.

Pay Range:

$60,000.00 USD - $75,564.00 USD

The pay range listed for this position is the annual base salary range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law. 

As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment.

More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled