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