Postdoctoral Jobs in Maine (NOW HIRING)

Location: Scarborough, ME
Facility: MaineHealth Institute for Research
Schedule: Full Time
Shift: Day
Job Category: Professional - Nonclinical
Req #: 89636
Date Posted: Aug 28, 2026

The Hernandez Laboratory at the MaineHealth Institute for Research , Scarborough, ME is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work on a project to study the effects of developmental excess of thyroid hormones on the sexual differentiation of the brain and sexually dimorphic neurological phenotypes of relevance to neurological conditions.

The Hernandez Lab mostly uses mouse models and its focus lies in elucidating the mechanisms by which thyroid hormone disruptions during development program adult endocrine and brain pathophysiology, as well as the susceptibility of future generations to endocrine conditions (obesity, infertility) and neurobehavioral disorders (autism, schizophrenia, depression, ADHD) via mechanisms of inter- and transgenerational epigenetics.

The Research Fellow will conduct research under the guidance of the Principal Investigator, Arturo Hernandez. The Research Fellow is encouraged to develop and pursue their own scientific ideas and research directions as they may arise from the project. The Fellow is also encouraged to apply for postdoctoral fellowships and career development grants with the guidance, support and mentorship of the Principal Investigator and other Faculty. The Fellow will have the opportunity to publish in high-impact journals, attend and present at national and international top-tier scientific conferences and contribute to fitting ongoing or new collaborative projects.

• Role of thyroid and sex hormones cross-talk in the developing brain and relevant gene targets
• Impact on sexually dimorphic brain regions and behavioral phenotypes
• Influence of epigenetic dysregulation of thyroid hormone developmental exposure
• Mediatory effects of thyroid hormone receptors and transporters
• Mediatory effects of developmental sex hormones
• Mediatory effects on behavior of particular brain regions, cell types, systems or nuclei

• Perform, with the assistance and support of other lab personnel and the Principal Investigator, a Specific Aim in a recently funded grant concerning the role of developmental thyroid hormones in the sexual differentiation of the brain, as outlined above.
• Publish scientific contributions in journals and present at conferences.
• Mentor junior lab members and undergraduate trainees, providing mentoring in their field of expertise and training in relevant technical approaches
• Work with PI to develop new emerging research directions that may translate into grant applications competitive for grant funding.

• Physiology and action of thyroid hormones or sex hormones
• Neurobiology of sexually dimorphic brain regions
• Mouse models of neurological conditions
• Technical approaches used in the areas above

MaineHealth Institute for Research (MHIR) is committed to providing postdoctoral Research Fellows a robust research training experience within an engaged and inclusive community of scientists. We support the continued research training of postdoctoral fellows who have earned a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD degrees. The goal of our program is to provide a rigorous, mentored research experience that focuses on the design, implementation, and completion of novel research projects.

Research Fellows at MHIR are compensated based on years of experience and are eligible for the generous benefits package provided to MaineHealth employees.

Research Fellows participate in a robust training program that includes a seminar series with networking with local and national speakers, and presentation of their own research progress. Responsible Conduct of Research programming is run throughout the year to ensure that Research Fellows are adequately trained. We expect our postdoctoral fellows to present research findings at annual meetings and publish in peer-reviewed journals. Research Fellows are also encouraged and supported to submit applications for fellowship support or early career grants.

MHIR has an active and engaged Student and Postdoc Association that promotes professional development and a sense of community for students and postdocs. The MHIR Research Training and Education Office supports research trainees in all aspects of their training throughout their time at MHIR, including facilitation of Individual Development Plans, and annual reviews and meetings with MHIR scientific leadership. MHIR is a sustaining member of the National Postdoc Association, providing all of our students and Research Fellows the opportunity to have a free Affiliate Membership, and Research Training and Education Office Staff are members of the Graduate Career Consortium and the American Association of Medical Colleges Group on Research Education and Training (GREAT Group), connecting us with the larger national conversations about student and postdoctoral affairs.

The work location for this position is from our Scarborough, Maine research headquarters.

• Education: Doctoral Degree (e.g. PhD, MD, DO, DVM, PharmD) required.

We offer competitive benefits including paid parental leave, flexible work options, student loan assistance, professional development opportunities, and well-being resources - so you can grow your career while feeling supported both personally and professionally.

We recognize the value each team member brings to our organization.Any offer of employmentwill depend onqualificationssuch asskills, relevant experience, education, certifications,and otherjob-relatedfactors. Thebase rangeis an estimate and does notreflect the full valueofourtotal compensationpackage.

Compensation for part-time positions isdeterminedon a prorated basis consistent with the scheduled hours and applicable full-time equivalent (FTE).

In addition to base pay, MaineHealth offerscomprehensivebenefits, recognition programs, career growth opportunities, and,where applicable,shiftdifferentials or other incentives.

MaineHealth will never request financial information during the interview or pre-hiring process. All legitimate communications will come from an email address ending in @mainehealth.org. If you suspect fraudulent activity, please report it immediately to [emailprotected] .

Pursuant to Maine's Employer Surveillance Statute, prospective care team members are notified that MaineHealth may monitor, collect, record, review, or retain information related to the use of its systems, networks, applications, files, data, communications platforms (including notified recordings), smart badges, building access, company vehicle GPS data, business calls, and workplace security cameras.

Information collected may be used for legitimate business purposes, including security, safety, compliance, investigations, training, quality assurance, and operational management.

MaineHealth policy requires all care team members to be vaccinated, including for influenza, subject to eligibility for medical or religious exemptions which can only be granted in compliance with applicable law.

Notice Regarding Maine Employer Surveillance Statute: Pursuant to Maine Employer Surveillance Statute, prospective care team members are notified that MaineHealth may monitor, collect, record, review, or retain information related to the use of its systems, networks, applications, files, data, communications platforms (including notified recordings), smart badges, building access, company vehicle GPS data, business calls, and workplace security cameras.

Information collected may be used for legitimate business purposes, including security, safety, compliance, investigations, training, quality assurance, and operational management.

MaineHealth policy requires all care team members to be vaccinated, including for influenza, subject to eligibility for medical or religious exemptions which can only be granted in compliance with applicable law.

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