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Post-Doctoral Fellow, Synaptic Pharmacology and Plasticity - La Jolla, CA

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Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson

Post-Doctoral Fellow, Synaptic Pharmacology and Plasticity - La Jolla, CA

San Diego, CA
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW, SYNAPTIC PLASTICITY IN BRAIN PHYSIOLOGY AND DISEASE

    At Johnson & Johnson, we use technology and the power of teamwork to discover new ways to prevent and overcome the world’s the most significant healthcare challenges. Our Corporate, Consumer Health, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceutical teams leverage data, real-world insights, and creative minds to make life-changing healthcare products and medicines. We're disrupting outdated healthcare ecosystems and infusing them with transformative ideas to help people thrive throughout every stage of their lives. With a reach of more than a billion people every day, there’s no limit to the impact you can make here. Are you ready to reimagine healthcare?

     

    Here, your career breakthroughs will change the future of health, in all the best ways. And you’ll change, too. You’ll be inspired, and you’ll inspire people across the world to change how they care for themselves and those they love. Amplify your impact. Join us!

     

    POSITION COMPONENTS

     

    The Neuroscience Team in La Jolla, California discovers medicines to treat neuropsychiatric diseases – especially disorders of mood and cognition.  Our discovery strategy focuses in part on the emerging pharmacology of synaptic receptors and their associated subunits. We are seeking a highly-motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to develop this exciting science.  The Postdoctoral Fellow will employ biochemical and genetic strategies to elucidate the molecular composition and plasticity of neuronal glutamate and nicotinic receptor complexes.   This will enable discovery of new drug targets and interrogation of their roles with transgenic models and pharmacological agents.  This science will interface with Janssen’s medicinal chemistry, biochemical screening and molecular neurobiology teams. This special opportunity allows the Fellow to perform and publish cutting-edge basic science while benefiting from the resources and technologies of a pharmaceutical company. 

    KEY RESPONSIBILITIES  

    As a post-doctoral fellow you will:

    • Discover and validate novel neurotransmitter receptor components implicated in synaptic development and disease
    • Leverage genetic, genomic, and proteomic strategies to dissect the neuropharmacology of novel glutamatergic and nicotinic receptor components and modulators
    • Collaborate with internal and external partners to validate the translational relevance of novel neurotransmitter receptor components
    • Deliver reports, summaries, and presentations and high-impact publications
    • Present research findings and data internally and externally; interact and collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners, and present findings
    • Ensure data integrity and maintain compliance with general laboratory operations, all appropriate SOPs for laboratory work, data recording, and laboratory equipment
    • Maintain detailed records in a GMP compliant manner; safety, and environmental standards are required
  • Qualifications
    • A minimum of a Doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D.) is required, preferably in a relevant discipline such as Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or Neuroscience.
    • Have relevant high impact publications as first author. 
    • A minimum of 2 publications are required for the candidate to be considered for this opportunity; neuroscience research and publications are strongly desired.  Exemplary publications include:
     
    

    Maher et al. Getting a Handle on Neuropharmacology by Targeting Receptor-Associated Proteins Neuron 2017 96:989-1001.

     

    Gu et al. α6-Containing Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Reconstitution Involves Mechanistically Distinct Accessory Components. Cell Rep__orts 2019 26:866-874

     

    Dawe et al.  α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor upregulation by anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Nature Communications 2019 10:2746

     

    Dhara et al. Polyamine regulation of ion channel assembly: implications for nicotinic acetylcholine receptor pharmacology Nature Communications­ 2020 11: 2799

    We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

  • Industry
    Hospital and Health Care
  • Fun Fact
    We aspire to be the world's healthiest work force, offering group fitness classes, beach volleyball courts, bicycle desks, and more!
  • About Us

    Push the boundaries of science to transform health—and your career.

    Join us and advance life-changing treatments for people who need them most. At Johnson & Johnson, our focus is on improving global health equity and developing MedTech and pharmaceutical innovations that impact the future of health. Using AI and robotics to transform surgery or helping data scientists and clinicians formulate new ways to diagnose and treat disease, this work may sound like sci-fi, but it’s all science, all real, and could be your career. Whatever your background, skills, or career goals, there’s a place for you to help solve some of the world’s most pressing health challenges with us.

    Accelerate your career while changing the world.

    Each of our broadly-based family of companies offers an inclusive and empowering culture and employee benefits (like paid time off to volunteer, transgender-inclusive and same-sex partner health insurance coverage, and more) designed to help you live your best life, however you define it. And our best-in-class learning and development approaches, mentorship, and access to innovators across the world will help you grow your skills and reach your career goals. Because when you're at your best, nothing stands between you and your next breakthrough.