The West Michigan Neurodegenerative Diseases (Mi. ND) Program at Van Andel Institute (VAI) is seeking to hire a full-time Research Associate to be a key part of our Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (i. PSC) & Screening Platform. This research associate will work with Mi. ND Program Director, Dr. Erin Williams, to support the continued development of the Mi. ND Program’s high-content imaging platform and to help establish well-defined pipelines for culturing, reprogramming, and differentiating patient-derived human i. PS - Cs. Both platforms will enable researchers at VAI to study living human brain cells to dissect key neurodegenerative disease phenotypes and mechanisms. For more information about the Mi. ND Program and the neurodegeneration research currently being done at VAI, please visit QUALIFICATIONS - Must possess a Master’s or doctoral degree in biological sciences, focusing on neuroscience, biochemistry, cell biology, and/or molecular biology, or related biomedical fields 2-5 years of hands-on biology-related experience at the lab bench. Good oral and written communication skills. Excellent organizational skills. A hardworking individual who can work independently and in a team environment. Experience with cell culture, specifically i. PS - Cs, would be preferred. Gene-editing experience using CRISPR-Cas 9 technology would be desirable. Experience working with standard molecular and cell biology techniques would be desirable. Experience with fluorescent confocal microscopy and image analysis would be preferred. Knowledge of molecular biology, cell biology, and/or neuroscience would be an asset. RESPONSIBILITIES - Culturing, reprogramming, differentiating, and general maintenance of human i. PS - Cs under sterile conditions. Characterizing human i. PSC cultures using various cellular and molecular biology techniques (biochemical analysis, molecular cloning, plasmid preparation, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, etc.)Train researchers on how to work with i. PS - Cs, including training on maintenance and differentiation of human i. PS - Cs. Support the high-content imaging platform by designing and performing phenotypic screens, using gene-editing technology and small molecule libraries, on a variety of cell types, including i. PS - Cs and live cells. Use AI/machine learning-based software to characterize and quantify existing and novel disease phenotypes in i. PSC-based models. Work in close partnership with the Mi. ND Neuro. Genomes & Brain Bank initiatives to understand new genetic variants associated with neurodegenerative disease. Upkeep of laboratory equipment (tissue culture hoods, incubators, microscopes, etc.)Organization and upkeep of lab databases HOW TO APPLY - Interested candidates should submit a single PDF file containing the following items: A brief cover letter outlining your research experience and interests, and how you might contribute to the Mi. ND i. PSC & Screening Platform. A recent Curriculum Vitae. A list of 2-3 individuals and their contact details who have agreed to act as references. Inquiries and questions can be directed to Dr. Erin Williams (Mi. ND Program Director; erin.williams@vai.org) or Natalie Hartford (Human Resources; natalie.hartford@vai.org).