Join the Todd lab
We are accepting applicaitons for Graduate student and Postdoctoral fellow positions
We are accepting applicaitons for Graduate student and Postdoctoral fellow positions
Over half the human genome is made up of nucleotide repeats. We study both the normal roles these repeats play in neurobiology and neurologic diseases such as ALS, Ataxia, Dementia, and Fragile X Syndrome that result from their expansion. We do this using flies, rodents, and human patient iPSC and hESC derived neurons coupled with biochemical, bioinformatic and molecular tools to understand mechanisms of pathogenesis and develop novel therapeutic strategies.
Over half the human genome is made up of nucleotide repeats. We study both the normal roles these repeats play in neurobiology and neurologic diseases such as ALS, Ataxia, Dementia, and Fragile X Syndrome that result from their expansion. We do this using flies, rodents, and human patient iPSC and hESC derived neurons coupled with biochemical, bioinformatic and molecular tools to understand mechanisms of pathogenesis and develop novel therapeutic strategies.
Current Projects include:
Current Projects include:
1) Native functions for nucleotide repeats in RNA transcription, mRNA localization, protein translation, and neuronal plasticity.
1) Native functions for nucleotide repeats in RNA transcription, mRNA localization, protein translation, and neuronal plasticity.
2) Discover new short tandem repeats in the genome that contribute to the risk of neurologic disease.
2) Discover new short tandem repeats in the genome that contribute to the risk of neurologic disease.
3) Assess Repeat-associated non-AUG initiated (RAN) translation modifiers as therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative disease.
3) Assess Repeat-associated non-AUG initiated (RAN) translation modifiers as therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative disease.
4) Create in vivo maps of repeat RNA binding proteins in neurons and determine how they contribute to repeat expansion toxicity.
4) Create in vivo maps of repeat RNA binding proteins in neurons and determine how they contribute to repeat expansion toxicity.
5) Develop and assess novel therapeutics for repeat expansion disorders.
5) Develop and assess novel therapeutics for repeat expansion disorders.
*We also encourage scientists to follow their own ideas.*
*We also encourage scientists to follow their own ideas.*
Candidates from diverse backgrounds and under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply
Candidates from diverse backgrounds and under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply
Ann Arbor is an amazing town with outdoor activities, cultural events (theater & music scene), an active campus life, and good restaurants. Consistently rates as one of the most livable cities in America. We are close enough to big cities (Detroit, Chicago, Toronto) to allow for easy one night or weekend escapes to get your fix of dense urban life.
Ann Arbor is an amazing town with outdoor activities, cultural events (theater & music scene), an active campus life, and good restaurants. Consistently rates as one of the most livable cities in America. We are close enough to big cities (Detroit, Chicago, Toronto) to allow for easy one night or weekend escapes to get your fix of dense urban life.
Read our recent papers in Nature Neuroscience, Nature Communications, Neuron, Molecular Cell, PLoS Genetics, or Elsewhere.
Read our recent papers in Nature Neuroscience, Nature Communications, Neuron, Molecular Cell, PLoS Genetics, or Elsewhere.
Past post-doctoral fellows and graduate students in the lab now hold tenure track faculty positions as well as successful positions in academic teaching and industry.
Past post-doctoral fellows and graduate students in the lab now hold tenure track faculty positions as well as successful positions in academic teaching and industry.
If interested in applying, please email a cover letter explaining your career goals, your reasons for interest in joining our group, and what you hope to gain from your post-doctoral training along with an updated CV and reference list to Peter Todd at mailto:petertod@umich.edu.
If interested in applying, please email a cover letter explaining your career goals, your reasons for interest in joining our group, and what you hope to gain from your post-doctoral training along with an updated CV and reference list to Peter Todd at mailto:petertod@umich.edu.
Funding options:
Funding options:
All current graduate students can apply for the Michigan Life Science Fellow Program, which provides an exceptional salary and benefit profile:
IF applying from an EU country, consider the following Fellowship:
IF applying from Australia, consider the following Fellowship:
Accepting Graduate student applicants to the Todd lab for rotations in 2023/24
Accepting Graduate student applicants to the Todd lab for rotations in 2023/24
Our group is accepting rotating graduate students from Neuroscience, PIBS, and Cell & Molecular Biology programs. Our lab offers exciting projects and a fun environment that emphasizes graded independence, intra- and inter- lab collaborations, and the growth of our students into future leaders who present at national and international meetings.
Our group is accepting rotating graduate students from Neuroscience, PIBS, and Cell & Molecular Biology programs. Our lab offers exciting projects and a fun environment that emphasizes graded independence, intra- and inter- lab collaborations, and the growth of our students into future leaders who present at national and international meetings.
Students can currently join our lab through:
Students can currently join our lab through:
3) The Medical Scientist Training Program
3) The Medical Scientist Training Program
Undergraduate Students:
Undergraduate Students:
We welcome applications from smart, responsible, and motivated undergraduate or Master's students with limited research experience. Entry through UROP or through direct contact, usually starting with volunteer work or via work study, has been successful for the 30+ students we have mentored over the past 15 years. Many of those students have completed an Honor's Thesis, a number are on publications, and many have advanced on to medical school, Ph.D. programs, or both.
We welcome applications from smart, responsible, and motivated undergraduate or Master's students with limited research experience. Entry through UROP or through direct contact, usually starting with volunteer work or via work study, has been successful for the 30+ students we have mentored over the past 15 years. Many of those students have completed an Honor's Thesis, a number are on publications, and many have advanced on to medical school, Ph.D. programs, or both.
If interested, send an email with your CV, your reason for wanting to work in our lab, your career goals, and your available time for committing to science.
If interested, send an email with your CV, your reason for wanting to work in our lab, your career goals, and your available time for committing to science.