Research Postdoctoral Fellow - Rodent Neurophysiology & Behavior

The Research Postdoctoral Fellow is a "research trainee" for the purpose of enhancing and developing research competencies in laboratory or clinical research settings and may engage in any of the following activities. The research postdoctoral fellow will assist faculty in the conduct of research and reports to a principal investigator or CNRI Center Director. They may serve in several roles in the laboratory setting, depending on the scientific specialty and needs of the research project supported. They may participate directly in the design and conduct of experiments and therefore need technical knowledge and subject matter expertise encompassing several disciplines, such as molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, genetics, physiology or animal science, as well as epidemiology, health services research, clinical research, trial design and human subjects protection, as applicable to the focus of the lab. Based on experience, the research postdoctoral fellow may train staff, graduate students and others in experimental procedures and study execution. The fellow will exercise general supervision in the workspace and assist with data management and analysis. In addition, the research postdoc fellow will be responsible for assisting the principal investigator in the planning and execution of research projects, grant applications and publications. They may further assist in the management of resource allocations, and may manage day-to-day activities for the research project, such as purchasing, oversight of laboratory animals, radioactivity and biosafety issues or human subjects enrollment and protection and regulatory reporting. The individual may also guide or lead the work of peers, technicians or other research support staff as necessary to achieve specific assignments or complete large and complex projects.

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in systems neuroscience, particularly in circuit-level analysis of sensorimotor and cerebellar function. Ideal candidates will have demonstrable expertise in at least one of the following domains: (1) in vivo calcium imaging using fiber photometry or miniscope-based approaches in awake, behaving rodents; (2) in vivo or ex vivo electrophysiological recording, with experience targeting deep structures such as the cerebellar nuclei or inferior olive; and/or (3) molecular neurobiology techniques applied to the study of synaptic plasticity, such as quantification of AMPA receptor trafficking, kinase activity assays, and the use of phosphorylation-state-specific mutant constructs.

What you'll do:

• Lead cutting-edge in vivo electrophysiology experiments in rodent social contexts
• Decode neural circuits underlying social behaviors with precision recording tools
• Design and run behavioral assays, analyze spike/LFP data, and publish in top journals

Who you are:

• PhD in neuroscience, physiology, or a related field
• Expert in rodent handling, stereotactic surgery, and neural recording (e.g. patch clamp, silicon probes)
• Solid background in data analysis (MATLAB/Python) and a track record of publications

Why join us:

• Collaborate in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary lab
• Mentored environment with strong publication & career support

Minimum Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) (Required) Or
Medical Doctor (M.D.) (Required)

Required Skills/Knowledge
Completed training in a specialty in a field of research.
Demonstrated potential for successful career in research and related scholarly achievement.

Functional Accountabilities
Responsible Conduct of Research

• Consistently demonstrates adherence to the standards for the responsible conduct of research.

• Plans, conducts and manages research projects within federal and institutional regulations and policies under the direction of the principal investigator.

• Uses research funds and resources appropriately.

• Maintains confidentiality of data as required.

• Meets all annual job-related training and compliance requirements.

Commitment to Research

• Conducts research of significant scientific value in the basic and/or translational science area(s) relevant practice specialty.

• Participates in reviewing manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals.

• Publishes in peer-reviewed, scientific, quality and management journals.

• Submits applications for grants or contracts for funding of research projects.

• Participates in research committees and workshops special interest groups.

Collaborations

• Collaborates effectively with CNRI researchers, external agencies and institutions to develop cooperative research initiatives, promote free discussion, research progress, skills productivity and morale with internal and external colleagues and stakeholders.

Program Support

• Assists the principal investigator in the planning and execution research projects, grant applications and publications.

• May train technical staff, graduate students and others in laboratory procedures, provide general supervision in the laboratory and assist with data management and analysis, based on experience.

• May assist in the management of resource allocations, and may manage day-to-day activities in the laboratory, such as purchasing, oversight of laboratory animals, radioactivity, and biosafety issues.
• May guide or lead the work of peers, technicians or other diverse support staff as necessary to achieve specific assignments or complete large and complex projects.
• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

Teamwork/Communication

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals

• Receptive to others' ideas and opinions

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

• Contribute to a positive work environment

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

• Use resources efficiently

• Search for less costly ways of doing things

Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance