Post-Doctoral Research Fellow – MaineHealth Institute for Research

MaineHealth Institute for Research Professional - Nonclinical Req #: 89636

• The Hernandez Laboratory at the MaineHealth Institute for Research , Scarborough, ME is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work on a project to study the effects of developmental excess of thyroid hormones on the sexual differentiation of the brain and sexually dimorphic neurological phenotypes of relevance to neurological conditions. The Hernandez Lab mostly uses mouse models and its focus lies in elucidating the mechanisms by which thyroid hormone disruptions during development program adult endocrine and brain pathophysiology, as well as the susceptibility of future generations to endocrine conditions (obesity, infertility) and neurobehavioral disorders (autism, schizophrenia, depression, ADHD) via mechanisms of inter- and transgenerational epigenetics. The Research Fellow will conduct research under the guidance of the Principal Investigator, Arturo Hernandez. The Research Fellow is encouraged to develop and pursue their own scientific ideas and research directions as they may arise from the project. The Fellow is also encouraged to apply for postdoctoral fellowships and career development grants with the guidance, support and mentorship of the Principal Investigator and other Faculty. The Fellow will have the opportunity to publish in high-impact journals, attend and present at national and international top-tier scientific conferences and contribute to fitting ongoing or new collaborative projects. Research Directions within the overall project defined above may include -but are not limited to-:
• Role of thyroid and sex hormones cross-talk in the developing brain and relevant gene targets
• Impact on sexually dimorphic brain regions and behavioral phenotypes
• Influence of epigenetic dysregulation of thyroid hormone developmental exposure
• Mediatory effects of thyroid hormone receptors and transporters
• Mediatory effects of developmental sex hormones
• Mediatory effects on behavior of particular brain regions, cell types, systems or nuclei Expectations for this Research Fellow:
• Perform, with the assistance and support of other lab personnel and the Principal Investigator, a Specific Aim in a recently funded grant concerning the role of developmental thyroid hormones in the sexual differentiation of the brain, as outlined above.
• Publish scientific contributions in journals and present at conferences.
• Mentor junior lab members and undergraduate trainees, providing mentoring in their field of expertise and training in relevant technical approaches
• Work with PI to develop new emerging research directions that may translate into grant applications competitive for grant funding. Special consideration will be given to candidates with research background or experience in the following areas:
• Physiology and action of thyroid hormones or sex hormones
• Neuroendocrinology
• Neurobiology of sexually dimorphic brain regions
• Brain development
• Mouse behavioral tests
• Mouse models of neurological conditions
• Epigenetics
• Technical approaches used in the areas above To apply: Interested candidates please submit 1) the MaineHealth employment application with 2) your cover letter, 3) resume, 4) list of 3 references, and 4) a statement ( MaineHealth Institute for Research (MHIR) is committed to providing postdoctoral Research Fellows a robust research training experience within an engaged and inclusive community of scientists. We support the continued research training of postdoctoral fellows who have earned a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD degrees. The goal of our program is to provide a rigorous, mentored research experience that focuses on the design, implementation, and completion of novel research projects. Research Fellows at MHIR are compensated based on years of experience and are eligible for the generous benefits package provided to MaineHealth employees. Research Fellows participate in a robust training program that includes a seminar series with networking with local and national speakers, and presentation of their own research progress. Responsible Conduct of Research programming is run throughout the year to ensure that Research Fellows are adequately trained. We expect our postdoctoral fellows to present research findings at annual meetings and publish in peer-reviewed journals. Research Fellows are also encouraged and supported to submit applications for fellowship support or early career grants. MHIR has an active and engaged Student and Postdoc Association that promotes professional development and a sense of community for students and postdocs. The MHIR Research Training and Education Office supports research trainees in all aspects of their training throughout their time at MHIR, including facilitation of Individual Development Plans, and annual reviews and meetings with MHIR scientific leadership. MHIR is a sustaining member of the National Postdoc Association, providing all of our students and Research Fellows the opportunity to have a free Affiliate Membership, and Research Training and Education Office Staff are members of the Graduate Career Consortium and the American Association of Medical Colleges Group on Research Education and Training (GREAT Group), connecting us with the larger national conversations about student and postdoctoral affairs. The work location for this position is from our Scarborough, Maine research headquarters. Learn more about the MaineHealth Institute for Research in this short video ! Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

Doctoral Degree (e.g. PhD, MD, DO, DVM, PharmD) required. Additional Information MaineHealth is committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where care team members can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve across Maine and New Hampshire.

We offer competitive benefits including paid parental leave, flexible work options, student loan assistance, professional development opportunities, and well-being resources—so you can grow your career while feeling supported both personally and professionally. We recognize the value each team member brings to our organization. Any offer of employment will depend on qualifications such as skills, relevant experience, education, certifications, and other job-related factors.

The base range is an estimate and does not reflect the full value of our total compensation package. Pay is dependent on which post-doctoral year the finalist is in and is based on the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Stipends schedule , plus 10%.

Compensation for part-time positions is determined on a prorated basis consistent with the scheduled hours and applicable full-time equivalent (FTE). In addition to base pay, MaineHealth offers comprehensive benefits, recognition programs, career growth opportunities, and, where applicable, shift differentials or other incentives. If you have questions about this role, please contact sharon.nightingale@mainehealth.org Hiring Scam Alert MaineHealth will never request financial information during the interview or pre-hiring process.

All legitimate communications will come from an email address ending in @mainehealth.org. If you suspect fraudulent activity, please report it immediately to mhcareers@mainehealth.org. Notice Regarding Maine Employer Surveillance Statute: Pursuant to Maine's Employer Surveillance Statute, prospective care team members are notified that MaineHealth may monitor, collect, record, review, or retain information related to the use of its systems, networks, applications, files, data, communications platforms (including notified recordings), smart badges, building access, company vehicle GPS data, business calls, and workplace security cameras.

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