The University of Pittsburgh is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Associate to join the laboratory of Dr. Or Shemesh in the Department of Ophthalmology. The position focuses on investigating the role of pathogens in neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases, with an emphasis on viral contributions to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and microbial involvement in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The lab integrates human tissue studies with in vivo mouse models and cutting-edge imaging and sequencing technologies.

Duties or Responsibilities

The Postdoctoral Associate will design and execute independent and collaborative research projects examining hostpathogen interactions in brain and retinal disease. Responsibilities include working with human postmortem tissues and animal models, performing expansion microscopy, advanced confocal/super-resolution imaging, and next-generation sequencing. The fellow will analyze complex datasets, test mechanistic hypotheses using in vivo mouse experiments, and contribute to manuscript and grant preparation. The position also involves mentoring students and actively participating in lab meetings and scientific collaborations.

• Expectations or Qualifications

Applicants must hold a PhD in Neuroscience, Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, Biology, Immunology, or a related field. Candidates should have a strong publication record or demonstrated potential to publish in peer-reviewed journals. Experience with microscopy, animal models, human tissue research, virology/microbiology, or sequencing is highly desirable. The ideal candidate will be intellectually curious, highly organized, and capable of working both independently and as part of a collaborative research team.

• Opportunities Available

The position offers outstanding opportunities for scientific and professional development, including access to state-of-the-art imaging and sequencing facilities, participation in interdisciplinary collaborations, and support for attending national and international conferences. Postdoctoral associates will have opportunities to develop independent projects, contribute to grant writing, and receive mentorship toward academic, industry, or translational career paths.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.