Post-doctoral Research Fellow in Brain Imaging Genomics of Alzheimer’s Disease
IU Center for Neuroimaging and the Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center
Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN USA
The Brain Imaging Genomics Laboratory of the Indiana University School of Medicine Center for Neuroimaging (CfN) and the Neuroimaging Core of the NIH-designated Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center (IADC), directed by Dr. Andrew Saykin, have openings for outstanding, highly motivated post-doctoral research associates with special interest in the areas of human brain imaging, cognitive neuroscience, and genomics/computational systems biology, to play a major role in state-of-the-science integrative studies of early stage Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Other collaborative research using similar approaches, within the center and beyond, focuses on cognitive and neural effects of breast cancer and cancer treatment, mild traumatic brain injury and sports concussion, and psychosis.
Special opportunities afforded by this fellowship include experience working directly with the Genetics Core of the NIA Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), the Neuroimaging Core (and other Cores) of the IADC, as well as with the IU Network Science Institute (IUNI), which is conducting pioneering integrative studies of the human connectome, social networks and systems biology of AD. Research-dedicated facilities in the IUSM Neuroscience Center include Siemens PRISMA 3T MRI, PET/CT, PET/MR, Radiochemistry Core and Neurovisualization Lab. A new preclinical Bruker BioSpec 9.4T/30 MRI with PET insert was also recently added for studies of model systems.
The CfN and IADC are highly collaborative transdisciplinary environments with PhD and
MD/PhD students in Medical Neuroscience, Medical and Molecular Genetics, Computer
Science and Bioinformatics. Along with Dr. Saykin (multi-modal imaging, genetics,
biomarkers and cognition), primary co-mentors on several NIH-funded projects include
Dr. Kwangsik Nho (bioinformatics, genomic and metabolomic analysis) and Dr.
Shannon Risacher (MRI and PET imaging; sensory changes in AD). Other closely
affiliated IU faculty include Drs. Yu-Chien Wu (MR physics), Taeho Jo (deep learning),
Jingwen Yan (bioinformatics and machine learning), Liana Apostolova (behavioral
neurology, early onset AD), Brenna McDonald (functional imaging and pediatric
neuropsychology), and at IU Bloomington, Drs. Olaf Sporns (network neuroscience,
connectomics), Santo Fortunato (network science, science of science, modularity),
Franco Pestilli (computational neuroscience, neuroinformatics) and Brea Perry (medical sociology and network science).
The overarching goals of this research program are 1) to achieve a better
understanding of the complex causes and mechanisms leading to AD, 2) to improve
early detection and longitudinal monitoring by combining genomics, fluid biomarkers
and advanced neuroimaging and 3) to identify novel targets for diagnostic use and
therapeutic intervention.
The fellow will have designated responsibility for specific projects and will contribute to
leading-edge team science initiatives. Fellows will be expected to take the lead on
preparing manuscripts for publication and appropriate grant proposals while
collaborating on other team efforts.
See full requirements and application details in the position posting.