Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Gerontology - Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM)

Job Summary

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. Projects will integrate cell culture, in vivo mouse models, functional phenotyping, and mechanistic bioenergetic analyses, with flexibility to pursue emerging directions as new findings arise.

This position offers strong opportunities for first-author publications and structured mentorship toward competitive career development funding within a collaborative and translational research environment focused on aging and muscle biology.

What You’ll Do

• Design and implement interventions that modulate mitochondrial bioenergetics and redox balance, including voluntary wheel running and drug administration.
• Conduct cell culture and 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.

What You’ll Bring

Required

• PhD in physiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, cancer biology, or a related field, with no more than 3 years of experience following completion of the PhD.

• Proficiency in cell culture, mouse handling, microdissections, and molecular biology techniques, including qRT-PCR, Western blot, and imaging.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

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.

Schedule Details

• Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit:

• Curriculum vitae
• Brief statement of research interests and career goals
• Contact information for three references

About Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM)

Wake Forest University School of Medicine serves as the academic core of Advocate Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems, advancing innovation in patient care, research and medical education. With nationally recognized programs, world-class faculty, dedicated support staff and a commitment to improving health for all, the School of Medicine provides an inspiring environment where clinicians, researchers and learners collaborate to shape the future of health care. 

About Advocate Health

Advocate Health is one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the United States, delivering care through local brands including Atrium Health, Aurora Health Care, and Advocate Health Care. We serve millions of patients each year, combining clinical expertise, research, and innovation to improve health outcomes and expand access to equitable care. 

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Schedule Details/Additional Information

Monday - Friday 8 - 5 pm

Our Commitment to You:

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including:

Compensation

• Base compensation within the position’s pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate’s job
• Incentive pay for select positions
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits and more

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview.

About Advocate Heath

Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.