Open Positions

The Lo & Zeng Labs are currently recruiting at all levels. Please find the job descriptions for 1 Postdoctoral Researcher and 2 Research Technicians below. Candidates applying for Postdoctoral Researcher and Research Technician positions, please contact Chih Hung Lo (clo101@syr.edu) or Jialiu Zeng (jzeng22@syr.edu) with (1) a cover letter describing your qualifications and research experiences, (2) a CV including a list of publications, and (3) email contacts of three references. All applications will be reviewed carefully and shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. 

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We are also recruiting 2 PhD students in the Lo Lab (Department of Biology) and 2 PhD students in the Zeng Lab (Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering). Prospective PhD students and undergraduate students interested in our research, please contact Chih Hung Lo (clo101@syr.edu) or Jialiu Zeng (jzeng22@syr.edu).

 

Join us to be part of our transformative research team in advancing neurodegenerative disease research and developing innovative therapies with potential clinical applications!​

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Position 1: Postdoctoral Researcher – Neurobiology & Drug Discovery (Starting January 2025)
Lo Lab, Department of Biology, Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, and BioInspired Institute 

The Lo Lab is seeking an ambitious and motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join an interdisciplinary team at Syracuse University. The research project will focus on investigating how autophagy and lysosomal dysfunction, driven by aberrant inflammatory cytokine receptor signaling, lipid dysregulation, and intrinsically disordered protein aggregation, contribute to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. The goal is to uncover new disease mechanisms and identify novel drug candidates targeting neurodegenerative disorders with strong potential for clinical translation.

Key Responsibilities

• Use cutting-edge cell-based assays and biochemical/biophysical approaches to elucidate disease pathways.

• Maintain a mouse breeding colony, perform stereotaxic injections, conduct behavioral characterizations, and contribute to translational research through in vivo studies.

• Conduct high-resolution multiplexed imaging of human/mouse brain tissue sections and single-cell spatial analysis.

• Design and engineer fluorescent-based biosensors and launch high-throughput screening for drug discovery to develop neuroprotective drugs.

• Collect and analyze data, draft manuscript and publish findings, present at conferences, contribute to new grant applications, mentor undergraduate/graduate students, and support other team members in their research efforts.

Job Requirements

• Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Biology, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering, or a closely related field.

• Strong background in cellular neuroscience, receptor signaling pathways, and protein biophysics/biochemistry.

• Experience with cell culture, mouse handling, and neuropathological techniques (e.g., tissue sectioning, immunostaining, etc.).

• Experience in using computational techniques for omics data analysis is desired, but not required.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, enthusiasm for learning, strong organizational skills, and dedication to cultivating a collaborative and supportive atmosphere within the research team.

What We Offer

• A vibrant and collaborative research environment within a leading Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program in the Department of Biology and the College of Arts & Sciences.

• Opportunities to work at the interface of neurobiology, engineering, and medicinal chemistry, contributing to impactful, translational research.

• Access to state-of-the-art facilities for advanced imaging, animal studies, and drug discovery.

• Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience, with a flexible start date.

• Mentorship and support for competitive fellowship applications.

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Position 2: Research Technician – Body-Brain Interaction (Starting January 2025)
Lo Lab, Department of Biology, Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, and BioInspired Institute

The Lo Lab is seeking an ambitious and motivated Research Technician to join an interdisciplinary team at Syracuse University. The research project will focus on examining how the crosstalk between inflammation and autolysosomal dysfunction, driven by obesity-induced chronic inflammation or cytokine/lipid-induced acute inflammation, contribute to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. The goal is to unravel new mediators that propagate inflammation from peripheral to the central nervous system as well as design therapeutic strategies to modulate body-brain interaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Use cutting-edge cell-based and biochemical assays to model interactions between different cell types in the periphery and in the brain.

• Maintain a mouse breeding colony and mice fed on high-fat diet, perform stereotaxic injection, conduct behavioral characterizations, and contribute to translational research through in vivo studies.

• Conduct high-resolution imaging of mouse brain tissue sections to determine neuropathological changes.

• Perform high-throughput screening for drug discovery and conduct pre-clinical testing of lead drug candidates to develop neuroprotective drugs.

• Collect and analyze data, draft manuscript and publish findings, present at conferences, contribute to new grant applications, mentor undergraduate/graduate students, and support other team members in their research efforts.

• Assume the role of a lab manager to assist in maintaining lab safety regulations, waste management, active IACUC and IRB protocols, and updated lists of lab inventory and protocols.

Job Requirements

• Diploma, Bachelor, or Master’s degree in Neuroscience, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.

• Strong interests in cellular neuroscience, receptor signaling pathways, and protein biophysics/biochemistry.

• Research experience with one or more of the following skills: cell culture, mouse handling, protein and RNA analysis, tissue sectioning, immunostaining, and confocal imaging.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, enthusiasm for learning, strong organizational skills, and dedication to cultivating a collaborative and supportive atmosphere within the research team.

What We Offer

• A vibrant and collaborative research environment within a leading Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program in the Department of Biology and the College of Arts & Sciences.

• Opportunities to work at the interface of neurobiology, engineering, and medicinal chemistry, contributing to impactful, translational research.

• Access to state-of-the-art facilities for advanced imaging, animal studies, and drug discovery.

• Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience, with a flexible start date.

• Mentorship and support for graduate school or medical school applications.

• Provide a conducive environment to the applicant learning new techniques and maturing scientifically.  

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Position 3: Research Technician – Nanomedicine for Neurodegenerative Disease (Starting January 2025)

Zeng Lab, Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, and BioInspired Institute 

The Zeng Lab is seeking an ambitious and motivated Research Technician to join an interdisciplinary team at Syracuse University. The research project will focus on engineering innovative nanomaterials designed to address lysosomal and metabolic dysfunction, with the capability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. The goal is to develop novel nanomaterial-based therapeutic strategies targeting neurodegenerative diseases with strong potential for clinical translation.

Key Responsibilities

• Synthesis of small molecules and/or polymers, construct nanoparticles, perform materials characterization using advanced techniques.

• Utilize cell-based assays and biochemical techniques to determine and optimize nanomaterials’ function in diseases.

• Maintain a mouse breeding colony, perform stereotaxic injection, conduct behavioral characterizations, and contribute to translational research through in vivo studies.

• Collect and analyze data, draft manuscript and publish findings, present at conferences, contribute to new grant applications, mentor undergraduate/graduate students, and support other team members in their research efforts.

• Manage lab supplies, prepare solutions, autoclave glassware, and ensure routine equipment maintenance.

• Assume the role of a lab manager to assist in maintaining lab safety regulations, waste management, active IACUC and IRB protocols, and updated lists of lab inventory and protocols.

Job Requirements

• Diploma, Bachelor, or Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field.

• Strong interests in materials synthesis/characterization, nanomedicine engineering, and translational neuroscience.

• Research experience with one or more of the following skills: materials synthesis and characterization, cell culture, biochemical assays, confocal imaging, and mouse handling.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, enthusiasm for learning, strong organizational skills, and dedication to cultivating a collaborative and supportive atmosphere within the research team.

What We Offer

• A vibrant and collaborative research environment within the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, and BioInspired Institute.

• Opportunities to work at the interface of materials science and engineering, nanomedicine, and neurobiology, contributing to impactful, translational research.

• Access to state-of-the-art facilities for advanced materials synthesis and characterization, high-resolution imaging, and animal studies.

• Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience, with a flexible start date.

• Mentorship and support for graduate school or medical school applications.

• Provide a conducive environment to the applicant learning new techniques and maturing scientifically. ​