Research Fellow - Gerontology

About the Role

An NIH-funded postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Bumsoo Ahn at Wake Forest University School of Medicine to investigate mitochondrial bioenergetics and muscle adaptation in models of aging and cancer. The fellow will lead a line of research examining how interventions that modulate mitochondrial bioenergetics influence muscle performance, energetic reserve, and physiological responses to stress. This position offers strong opportunities for first-author publications and provides structured mentorship toward competitive career development funding within a collaborative and translational research environment focused on aging and muscle biology.

Requirements

• PhD in physiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, cancer biology, or a related field (completed within the last two years).
• Proficiency in cell culture, mouse handling, microdissections, and molecular biology techniques (e.g., qRT-PCR, western blot, and imaging).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement interventions that modulate mitochondrial bioenergetics and redox balance, including voluntary wheel running and ghrelin administration via osmotic pump.
• Conduct cell culture, rodent behavioral and functional assessments, including motor and cognitive testing.
• Perform mitochondrial bioenergetic assessments using Seahorse Bioscience or Oroboros O2k high-resolution respirometry.
• Coordinate redox and proteomic analyses.
• Analyze and interpret data in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.
• Contribute to manuscript preparation and grant development.

Research Environment

The Ahn laboratory conducts mechanistic and translational research focused on mitochondrial bioenergetics, redox signaling, aging, and resilience. The fellow will work within a collaborative environment that includes clinical oncologists, behavioral neuroscientists, proteomics experts, and biostatisticians. The position offers strong mentorship in experimental design, high-impact publication strategy, and NIH career development pathways.