Elissa J. Chesler, Ph.D.
‪‪‬‬‬‬‬‬The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬
 
We are looking for talented and intellectually curious postdoctoral candidates to embark on a unique postdoctoral training experience that leverages the rich domain expertise, mouse resources, and data services of JAX’s Center for the Addiction Biology, which includes the NIDA funded Center for Systems Neurogenetics of Addiction and other addiction research programs. As part of the Addiction Center team, the postdoctoral associate will contribute to innovative discoveries through application of their versatile technical expertise and domain knowledge. Engaging postdocs across disciplines and specific domain areas allows jointly mentored postdocs to expand their skill sets in emerging, interdisciplinary research areas. Together, postdocs and faculty will initiate innovative research programs that are enhanced by interaction with the Addiction Center and JAX Scientific Services. 

Postdocs train under a dual mentor model in which the primary mentor is an Addiction Center affiliate in genome sciences or other areas, who is establishing a new avenue of research, and the secondary co-mentor, who is an established investigator in addiction behavior/biology. The goal of joint mentorship is to foster the postdoc’s development and acquisition of training while establishing research in a new field. JAX’s Postdoctoral Training Committee will provide additional guidance to help prepare the postdoc for their transition to independent careers in science. This a two-year position, with the possibility of a third year based on both productivity and funding.

Our research group consisting of research faculty, postdoctoral associates, computational scientists, software engineers, research technologists, and research assistants, is diverse and collaborative. We seek to produce top notch science and foster the development of outstanding, independent scientists through a dual-mentorship model and interdisciplinary, collaborative efforts. For more, visit the Center for Systems Neurogenetics of Addiction online.

Our aspiration is to train a diverse scientific workforce poised to bring JAX’s advanced technologies to fields of research in which they have yet to be deployed. The domain expertise of the research group and scientific services available at JAX provide a rich environment in which to cultivate this modern workforce.

Qualifications: 

• PhD (or nearing completion of PhD degree) in Neuroscience, Genetics, Genomics, Computational Biology, Neurobiology, and/or Biological Psychology.
• Strong addiction behavior/biology background or related domain expertise
• Track record of productivity supported by accepted or in press first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Foundational genetics, genomics, computational biology and/or neuroscientific backgrounds (i.e., some capabilities in mentor’s lab in addition to the addiction background so that they may readily grasp new technologies and their applications to addiction research). 
• Required experience with analysis and design of experiments and basic computational analysis of genetic, genomic and behavioral data using R or other statistical language.
• Outstanding writing and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and within a collaborative, value-driven, and team-based environment 

How to apply: Interested and qualified individuals are encouraged to submit a cover letter, current CV, a 1-page Statement of Research Interests and Career Goals, and contact information for three references.

Candidates will be encouraged to apply for competitive foundation and federal training fellowships and awards. Postdoctoral associates will complete their training in genomics, genetics and addiction behavior/biology, yielding combined expertise and a diversified skill set that will, in turn, position them to compete successfully for funding opportunities, and increase their marketability for future faculty or industry research positions.

JAX Salary  
Year 0 - 1     $65,589  
Year 1 - 2     $67,318  
Year 2 - 3     $69,095  
Year 3 - 4     $70,521  
Year 4 - 5     $72,877  
Year 5 - 6     $75,569  

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About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org​​​​​​​.

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.