How to Apply
After applying for the position via Michigan Medicine job board, please send the following information to [email protected]
- Upload a cover letter describing research interests in the available research projects, relevant experience, and career goals.
- Curriculum vitae.
- A brief (<400 words) study design for an initial experiment or study based on the available research projects.
- Contact information for three professional references.
- Up to three representative publications.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Start date is flexible.
Mission Statement
Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.
Job Summary
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join an interdisciplinary preclinical research program focused on improving recovery and reducing complications after spinal cord injury (SCI). The fellow will lead and contribute to two complementary projects examining mechanisms of SCI-related heterotopic ossification (HO) and the potential of psilocybin-assisted interventions to promote functional recovery and alleviate chronic pain after SCI in the rodents.
The postdoctoral fellow will be jointly mentored by Drs. Chan Gao and Jonny Lifshitz and will receive comprehensive training in spinal cord injury biology, bone physiology, chronic pain, neuroplasticity, behavioral neuroscience, and translational biomarker and therapeutic development. This training will develop advanced research expertise, strengthen interdisciplinary scientific skills, and foster the independence needed to lead a successful research career.
Research Projects
1. SCI-induced heterotopic ossification
The fellow will investigate heterotopic ossification (HO), the abnormal formation of bone in soft tissues as observed after clinical SCI and contribute to pain, restricted movement, impaired function, and reduced quality of life. Research activities may include:
- Developing and applying preclinical models of SCI-associated HO.
- Characterizing cellular, inflammatory, neural, and musculoskeletal mechanisms that contribute to ectopic bone formation.
- Performing tissue collection, histology, immunohistochemistry, imaging, and molecular assays.
- Evaluating candidate pathways and therapeutic strategies to prevent or reduce HO.
- Integrating behavioral and functional assessments with biological outcomes.
2. Psilocybin-assisted motor recovery and pain relief after SCI
The fellow will examine whether psilocybin-assisted interventions can improve functional recovery and reduce chronic pain after SCI. This project will investigate neurobiological mechanisms relevant to recovery, including neuroplasticity, serotonergic signaling, pain-related brain and spinal-cord circuitry, affective behavior, and inflammation.
Preclinical evidence suggests psilocybin may influence synaptic plasticity, serotonergic signaling, and pain-related affective processing; however, rigorous SCI-specific mechanistic studies remain urgently needed. The project will prioritize careful dose selection, adverse-effect monitoring, and SCI-specific physiological and behavioral outcomes, particularly because serotonergic psychedelics may produce unusual autonomic and neuromuscular effects in people with SCI.
Responsibilities*
- Designing and conducting rodent SCI experiments involving psilocybin or relevant neuroplastic drug interventions.
- Measuring sensory, motor, locomotor, and pain-related outcomes using validated behavioral assays.
- Assessing neuroplasticity, neural circuitry, neuroinflammation, and serotonergic mechanisms using molecular, histological, imaging, electrophysiological, and/or pharmacologic approaches.
- Analyzing longitudinal behavioral and biological data.
- Contributing to study design, protocol development, regulatory documentation, manuscripts, conference abstracts, and grant applications.
Required Qualifications*
- PhD, MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, or equivalent terminal degree in neuroscience, rehabilitation science, pharmacology, physiology, biomedical engineering, or related field.
- Strong record of scientific productivity, including peer-reviewed publications.
- Experience with rodent models, including small animal surgery.
- Experience includes a significant combination of histology, molecular biology, pharmacology, and functional testing in relevant preclinical models.
- Demonstrated ability to manage experiments, analyze data, maintain detailed records, and communicate results effectively.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
Desired Qualifications*
- Experience with spinal cord injury, chronic pain, neurotrauma, musculoskeletal biology, or neuroplasticity research.
- Proficiency in rodent SCI surgery, locomotor assessment, sensory testing, or pain-behavior assays.
- Experience with heterotopic ossification models, bone biology, micro-computed tomography, histomorphometry, or immunohistochemistry.
- Experience with psychedelic pharmacology, serotonergic systems, neuropsychopharmacology, or controlled substance research.
- Skills in quantitative analysis, programming, image analysis, electrophysiology, or advanced microscopy.
- Interest in translational research spanning rehabilitation, pain medicine, neuroscience, and psychedelic science.
Why Join Michigan Medicine?
Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world's most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
Professional Development
The fellow will receive close mentorship while developing an independent research trajectory. Opportunities will include:
- Leading first-author manuscripts and presenting findings at national and international meetings.
- Developing grant applications, including NIH F32 and K99/R00 mechanisms when eligible.
- Collaborating with investigators across rehabilitation medicine, anesthesiology, neuroscience, orthopedics, and psychedelic medicine.
- Participating in training in rigorous experimental design, reproducibility, biostatistics, responsible conduct of research, and translational science.
- Building expertise at the intersection of SCI, chronic pain, musculoskeletal complications, and neurotherapeutics.
- NIH describes postdoctoral appointments as defined periods of mentored advanced training intended to strengthen professional skills and prepare researchers for greater independence.
Background Screening
Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.