POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH POSITION: Neural circuitry UNDERLYING cognitive deficits WITH
NEURODEVELOPMENTAL ORIGINS
A Postdoctoral position is
available immediately (start date is flexible) in the laboratories of Drs. Samuel
Barnes (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry) and Susan Powell (Professor of
Psychiatry) at University of California San Diego. Research in the
laboratory focuses on translational research with relevance to
neuro-psychiatric disorders, specifically schizophrenia and autism.
The position available is to work on NIH- and
VA-funded research examining neural circuitry of cognitive flexibility deficits
associated with social isolation and other neurodevelopmental insults. These
projects utilize a combined developmental, pharmacological, and genetic
approach to understanding behavioral effects of early life insult. The position involves (1) operant behavioral
assessment of cognitive flexibility and reward learning (2) in-vivo recording
of circuit activity during behavioral assessment using fiber photometry, (3) optogenetic
manipulation of neural circuits underlying cognitive deficits.
The candidate should hold a Ph.D.,
have a strong conceptual and experimental background in neuroscience or
physiological psychology, experience in general neuroscience techniques (e.g.
immunohistochemistry), as well as be proactive, independent, hardworking,
productive, and enjoy working as part of a team. Experience with stereotaxic
surgery (including viral injection or fiber implantation) or a familiarity with
analytical
techniques involved with fiber photometry is preferable, but not required. The most competitive candidates will be those with at least
one first-author publication in the field and should be committed to eventually
becoming self-funded via grant applications. Willingness to work
collaboratively with faculty and to mentor students from a wide range of
disciplines, cultures and academic backgrounds is essential.
The University of California San Diego offers excellent benefits. Salary
is based on research experience. UCSD is an equal opportunity employer and all
qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. Please send your CV, a
brief statement of current and future research interests, and three references
to:
Samuel
Barnes, Ph.D.
sabarnes@health.ucsd.edu
Susan
Powell, Ph.D.
sbpowell@health.ucsd.edu