Postdoctoral Scholar - Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging

About the Role

The Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (HNRCA) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar position within the Biology of Aging research group, under the mentorship of Dr. Arpit Sharma. This role focuses on identifying organelle pathways that regulate longevity and healthy aging.

Responsibilities

• Analyze data and draft manuscripts related to multi-omics datasets, microscopy, and lifespan studies in C. elegans.
• Lead projects that result in first-author publications; contribute to collaborative studies and independent fellowship submissions.
• Work closely with interdisciplinary collaborators from areas such as informatics, biology of aging scientists, and nutrition.
• Participate actively in group meetings and collaborate on larger, multidisciplinary projects.
• Assist with grant writing and progress reporting for research funding.

Current Projects

• Role of Peroxisomes in Healthy Aging: Conducting C. elegans-based lifespan assays, multi-omics analysis, pharmacological and dietary interventions, and high-resolution microscopy to assess the role of peroxisomes and organelle function in longevity and healthy aging.
• Role of Lipid Metabolism in Aging: Using cell culture and C. elegans-based assays to identify how dietary lipids regulate healthy aging and organelle function. The lab aims to use C. elegans as a model to study the effect of dietary lipids on longevity, while using cell-based methods to dissect molecular mechanisms.
• Novel Projects: Opportunity to develop new hypotheses and collaborative mechanistic directions in healthy aging, leveraging the HNRCA's unique interdisciplinary environment.

Requirements

• Basic Requirements: A doctoral degree in a relevant field such as biology/geroscience, molecular biology, nutrition, lipid metabolism, bioinformatics, biochemistry, physiology, or related discipline.
• Technical Proficiency: Solid foundation in microscopy or quantitative data analysis, and experience with multi-omics datasets. Proficiency in either C. elegans work or tissue-culture based methods (willingness to train in C. elegans techniques for those with strong tissue-culture expertise).
• Problem-Solving Orientation: Enthusiasm for tackling complex research questions and developing novel methods.
• Research Skills: Ability to conduct independent and collaborative research, identifying when to seek interdisciplinary expertise.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication, with the capacity to produce multiple first-author papers annually.
• Attention to Detail: High standards in record-keeping and task completion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in interdisciplinary teams.

Working Conditions

• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment while maintaining calm and thoughtful problem-solving.
• May work with hazardous chemicals and materials.

Pay

Minimum $67,500.00, Midpoint $67,500.00, Maximum $67,500.00. Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.