Postdoctoral Fellow-MSH-13050-226

Salary:Per Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai institutional salary scale and final offer letter. Approximately $74,692/year.

Department: Neurology - The Abimael Laboratory of Neurometabolism / Neurometabolomics and Neuroinformatics Core

Physical work location: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Annenberg Building, 1468 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10029

Name PI or Supervisor: Isaac Marin-Valencia, MD - isaac.marin-valencia@mssm.edu - 212-241-6947

Web link to Lab:https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/marin-valencia-lab/

Web link to Department: https://www.mountsinai.org/care/neurology

Administrative Contact: Lidija Ivic- Lidija.ivic@msms.edu

The postdoctoral researcher will participate in a collaborative research program in neurometabolism and mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. The primary purpose of the position is to conduct research that defines metabolic alterations in neurological and neurometabolic disease, develops and applies analytical mass spectrometry methods, and supports interpretation of metabolomic and stable-isotope tracing data. The research will use biological specimens and experimental models to identify and quantify metabolites, characterize metabolic pathways, discover candidate biomarkers and therapeutic targets, and improve understanding of disease mechanisms.

The postdoctoral researcher will work within the Abimael Laboratory of Neurometabolism and the Neurometabolomics and Neuroinformatics Core under the supervision of the Principal Investigator. The scholar will contribute scientific expertise in analytical chemistry and mass spectrometry to investigator-initiated and collaborative research projects, participate in experimental design, execute analytical studies, analyze and interpret data, and communicate findings to collaborating investigators. The appointment is research-focused and temporary in nature, with scientific exchange, collaborative research, and development of advanced expertise in metabolomics and mass spectrometry as central program objectives.

Technical Duties: (include any protocols)

• Design and perform sample-preparation and metabolite-extraction workflows for biological specimens, including plasma, serum, urine, tissue, and other research samples.
• Develop, optimize, validate, and apply targeted and untargeted mass spectrometry workflows using LC-MS/MS, QTOF-MS, GC-MS, and related analytical platforms as appropriate to individual research projects.
• Prepare standards, internal standards, calibration samples, pooled quality-control samples, extraction blanks, and analytical batches using appropriate quality-control procedures.
• Operate mass spectrometry and chromatography instrumentation; perform routine instrument setup, calibration, performance checks, cleaning, preventive care, troubleshooting, and documentation necessary to maintain reproducible research performance.
• Process, curate, normalize, and analyze mass spectrometry datasets; perform metabolite identification/annotation, quantitative analysis, quality-control assessment, statistical analysis, pathway analysis, and biological interpretation.
• Conduct and analyze stable-isotope tracing and metabolic flux experiments when required by research projects.
• Plan and execute assigned research projects from experimental design through sample analysis, data interpretation, visualization, and presentation of results.
• Maintain accurate experimental records, protocols, instrument logs, quality-control documentation, and research data in accordance with laboratory and institutional standards.
• Collaborate with laboratory members, investigators, clinicians, statisticians, and other scientific partners to refine experimental approaches and interpret complex metabolomic datasets.
• Provide scientific consultation and collaborative technical guidance to Core users on sample collection and preparation, analytical study design, mass spectrometry workflows, data quality, and interpretation. Core-related activities will be directly connected to collaborative research objectives and the scholar’s mass spectrometry research expertise.
• Contribute to preparation of figures, scientific presentations, manuscripts, abstracts, reports, and grant-related research materials, and participate in laboratory meetings and scientific discussions.
• Follow laboratory safety, chemical hygiene, biosafety, data-management, and instrument-use procedures.

Educational and other Requirements for the position:

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical analysis, chemistry, biochemistry, metabolomics, mass spectrometry, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Strong knowledge of analytical chemistry, chromatography, mass spectrometry, quantitative bioanalysis, and metabolomics principles.
• Ability to design and execute research experiments, critically evaluate analytical quality, interpret complex datasets, and communicate scientific findings.
• Proficiency with mass spectrometry data-processing and statistical/visualization software.
• Strong organizational, documentation, communication, and collaborative skills.
• Ability to work independently on defined research objectives while collaborating effectively in a multidisciplinary academic research environment.

Experience Required:

Demonstrated research experience in mass spectrometry-based analytical science, including biological sample preparation, metabolite or small-molecule extraction, LC-MS/MS and/or high-resolution mass spectrometry, analytical method development/optimization, quality control, data processing, statistical analysis, and scientific interpretation. Experience with metabolomics, quantitative bioanalysis, QTOF/Orbitrap/triple-quadrupole platforms, GC-MS, stable-isotope tracing, biomarker discovery, and collaborative translational research is highly desirable. Experience troubleshooting and maintaining mass spectrometry and chromatography systems is also desirable. The candidate’s background includes more than seven years of targeted and untargeted LC-MS research, sample preparation, quality control, data processing and interpretation, and experience with Orbitrap, triple-quadrupole, QTOF, UHPLC/HPLC, and GC-MS platforms.

Goals/Outcomes of the Research Project: 

The principal outcome will be generation of rigorous, reproducible mass spectrometry-based research data that advances understanding of metabolic mechanisms in neurological and neurometabolic disease. Expected outcomes include: (1) development, optimization, and application of robust metabolomics and quantitative mass spectrometry methods; (2) identification and quantitative characterization of disease-associated metabolites and metabolic pathways; (3) generation and interpretation of high-quality datasets from investigator-initiated and collaborative studies; (4) contribution to biomarker and therapeutic-target discovery; (5) dissemination of research through presentations, abstracts, manuscripts, and other scholarly products; and (6) scientific exchange and growth in advanced analytical chemistry, metabolomics, experimental design, data interpretation, and collaborative research. The Postdoctoral Researcher is expected to progressively assume scientific responsibility for defined research projects while working under the mentorship and supervision of the Principal Investigator.

Strength through Unity and Inclusion

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About the Mount Sinai Health System:

Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with more than 48,000 employees working across eight hospitals, more than 400 outpatient practices, more than 300 labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time — discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it. Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients’ medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes more than 9,000 primary and specialty care physicians; 13 joint-venture outpatient surgery centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and more than 30 affiliated community health centers. We are consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals, receiving high "Honor Roll" status, and are highly ranked: No. 1 in Geriatrics, top 5 in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, and top 20 in Diabetes/Endocrinology, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology/Lung Surgery, Rehabilitation, and Urology. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked No. 12 in Ophthalmology. U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Children’s Hospitals” ranks Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital among the country’s best in several pediatric specialties. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is ranked No. 11 nationwide in National Institutes of Health funding and in the 99th percentile in research dollars per investigator according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Newsweek’s “The World’s Best Smart Hospitals” ranks The Mount Sinai Hospital as No. 1 in New York and in the top five globally, and Mount Sinai Morningside in the top 20 globally.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Mount Sinai Health System is an equal opportunity employer, complying with all applicable federal civil rights laws. We do not discriminate, exclude, or treat individuals differently based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are deeply committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, students, trainees, patients, visitors, and the communities we serve feel respected and supported. Our goal is to create a healthcare and learning institution that actively works to remove barriers, address challenges, and promote fairness in all aspects of our organization.

Compensation

The Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) provides salary ranges that comply with the New York City Law on Salary Transparency in Job Advertisements. The salary range for the role is $72500 - $80000 Annually. Actual salaries depend on a variety of factors, including experience, education, and operational need. The salary range or contractual rate listed does not include bonuses/incentive, differential pay or other forms of compensation or benefits.