Research Assistant - Circuit-Based Model Systems of Anhedonia

What we are looking for

The BioMed X Institute in New Haven, Connecticut, USA is establishing a new, fully funded research group in the following field:

Circuit-Based Model Systems of Anhedonia

If you hold a PhD or master’s degree with an outstanding track record or strong interest in this field, we invite you to apply with a project proposal for a position in our new research group (1 group leader, 2 postdoctoral researchers, 2 research assistants).

Each BioMed X project team is sponsored by an industry partner. The sponsor of this call for application is AbbVie.

Anhedonia – the diminished ability to experience pleasure – is a debilitating symptom in depression but also prevalent in a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Yet its neurobiological underpinnings remain poorly understood. While reduced dopamine activity in the ventral striatum has long been implicated, the complexity of reward circuitry involving the prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, ventral tegmental area, and amygdala points to a broader network dysfunction. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests that neurotransmitter systems beyond dopamine – including opioids, serotonin, GABA, and glutamate – modulate the reward system in ways not yet fully mapped. The field lacks a clear mechanistic understanding of which neuronal subtypes across which brain regions are critical to manifesting anhedonia.

We invite bold proposals for innovative research projects aimed at uncovering the entangled microcircuits and molecular targets disrupted in anhedonia. The focus should be on pinpointing mechanisms – cellular, synaptic, and/or systemic – that engender anhedonia. Leveraging patient-derived data to corroborate mechanistic insights is highly encouraged.

The major objectives of the project are:

1. Identify and validate pathophysiological changes relevant to anhedonia.
2. Develop models with high construct validity.
3. Identify new targets to treat anhedonia.

This may involve multi-modal approaches combining in vitro, in vivo, and in silico methods, ideally integrating clinical or translational data.

Key deliverables of the project are:

• Identification and functional validation of specific microcircuit(s) or neurotransmitter imbalance(s) critical to anhedonia resulting in the development of human and/or animal in vitro or ex vivo models to support therapeutic advancement.
• Integration of patient-derived data or real-world data (human genomics) to support mechanistic findings.
• Identification of surrogate markers or biomarkers for anhedonia and/or treatment response.
• Discovery of potential therapeutic targets to treat anhedonia.

Proposals that challenge prevailing assumptions, employ cutting-edge technologies, or integrate machine learning with neurobiological data are especially welcomed. Projects focusing primarily on animal models with downstream behavioral outcomes without a mechanistic or circuit-based focus and therapeutic approaches focusing on medical devices are out of scope.

Please note that generic project proposals which were generated by large language models such as ChatGPT will not be considered.

Candidates for postdoctoral positions are expected to have completed a PhD (or equivalent) within the last three years and a certain degree of specialization in one or more relevant cutting-edge technologies.

What we offer

• A position in a fully funded research group with an annual budget of 1.1 million USD. The funding package covers salaries, materials, services, travel, overhead, as well as access to the core facilities on the campus of Yale University.
• A project term of 3-5 years.
• An exciting research opportunity in a multidisciplinary and international research community with a collegial and flexible working environment.
• Continuous coaching by key opinion leaders from top academic institutions and experienced researchers from the pharma industry.
• Participation in the BioMed X boot camp: Here you will learn how to build a compelling pitch presentation in only 5 days.

There is flexibility over starting dates, but successful applicants are welcome to take up post in New Haven starting July 1, 2026.

Application & Selection Process

• Please apply online at https://career.bmedx.com/registration/2025-NHV-C01
• As part of the online application procedure, you will be asked to submit a competitive project proposal that gives us an idea of your scientific expertise and creative potential (3-5 pages describing your unique experimental approach) and your curriculum vitae including your publication record.
• Deadline for applications: January 18, 2026
• After a first selection round, candidates will be invited to a five-day innovation boot camp in New Haven from March 9 to 13, 2026. With guidance from experienced mentors, candidates will jointly work on their project proposals and present them in front of a distinguished jury on the final day. Successful candidates will be offered a position at the BioMed X Institute in New Haven.
• For more information you can register for our upcoming information session on December 17 at 8:15 PM CET: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nv-PEjMHSAOuxnuHbwtHTQ

About BioMed X

BioMed X is an independent research institute with sites in Heidelberg, Germany, New Haven, Connecticut, XSeed Labs in Ridgefield, Connecticut, and a worldwide network of partner locations. We operate at the interface between academia and industry, performing biomedical research and drug discovery & development in the fields of oncology, immunology, neuroscience, women’s health, cardiometabolic diseases, platform technologies, and artificial intelligence.

All our research projects are supported by leading pharmaceutical companies and conducted by early-career scientists recruited from the best schools around the world. The combination of global crowdsourcing with local incubation of the best research talents and ideas allows us to solve the biggest challenges in biomedical research.

We stand for free, creative, and curiosity-driven research combined with a solid validation of results, timelines, and deliverables. We serve a large purpose in advancing translational biomedicine by leveraging synergies and fostering cross-pollination across disciplines.