Associate Research Scientist

The Miller Lab at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health is seeking an Associate Research Scientist with expertise in the field of neurodegenerative disease, metabolomics, exposomics, mass spectrometry, or bioinformatics.

The Associate Research Scientist will be responsible for studies on neurodegenerative disease or exposomics, utilizing biochemistry, pharmacology, bioinformatics and/or high-resolution mass spectrometry. Duties include organizing and implementing complex research plans, developing research methods and procedures in biochemistry, pharmacology, cell imaging, bioinformatics, or high-resolution mass spectrometry, collecting and analyzing data, and preparing content for manuscripts and publication. All research activities will be conducted following the policies and standard practices of Columbia University.

Responsibilities include:

• Design, organize, and conduct highly specialized and advanced experiments using mass spectrometry, neuroscience, biochemistry, pharmacology, cell imaging, bioinformatics techniques (40%)
• Establish and develop workflow and methods (20 %)
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot instruments such as mass spectrometry instruments including the GC/LC ThermoFisher Orbitrap MS system, cell imaging instruments or pharmacology and biochemistry instruments. For bioinformaticians, develop and troubleshoot computing methods (10%)
• Follow established and develop new methods for identification and qualification of results/features using standards and/or computational analysis (10%)
• Design and implement research protocols; establish safety procedures; design new procedures, methods, or instrumentation processes (5%)
• Conduct, collect, and analyze research data; create detailed documentation of experiments and research data, publish peer-reviewed paper (10%)
• Performs all other duties as assigned (5 %)

Minimum Qualifications:

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  • A doctoral degree in the appropriate field or the foreign equivalent is required.
  • Minimum of three years of postdoctoral experience in metabolomics/exposomics, pharmacology, toxicology, mass spectrometry, neuroscience, or bioinformatics.
  • Experience working with high-resolution mass spectrometry instrumentation (using LC-MS and GC-MS in small molecule analysis), bioinformatics techniques, (using bioinformatics tools and statistical software), biochemistry, cell imaging, or pharmacology
  • Thorough knowledge of the theories, techniques, and methods used in current laboratory assays in the appropriate field.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, researchers, staff and other personnel.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with other research institutions.
  • Ability to complete all training and certification in compliance with the policies of Columbia University and federal and state regulations.
  
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

Leadership skill is needed to assist staff and other researchers in conducting untargeted metabolomics/exposomics studies, molecular neurosciences, or bioinformatics analysis. A high level of technical skill is also essential to operate and troubleshoot instruments and perform data analysis. Strong analytical ability is required to design and perform complex experiments, analyze the data, and integrate current and new techniques. Ability to instruct staff and technicians on the proper procedures and maintenance of instruments. Considerable judgment is needed in interpreting data and results, as well as in conducting all research activities in accordance with the guidelines and procedures of Columbia University. A considerable amount of interpersonal and communication skills are necessary to communicate with collaborators.