Post Doc (6)

UMass Med School; Worcester (MA); Presencial; USD 66.000 - 80.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, MA is seeking a motivated postdoctoral fellow to join the Alkema laboratory in Neurobiology to study gut-brain communication using Caenorhabditis elegans. The role involves exploring neuromodulators, behavioral states, and microbiome-host interactions with access to advanced imaging, metabolomics, and computational resources.

The successful candidate will develop an independent research direction within these areas, collaborate within a supportive team,

Formación

• Ph.D. in neurobiology, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, metabolism, bioinformatics, or a related field
• Previous peer-reviewed publications
• Strong experimental, analytical, and scientific-writing skills
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• An interest in neuromodulation, behavior, or microbiome-host communication

Responsabilidades

• Postdoctoral fellows will be actively involved in manuscript and grant writing
• Training and mentorship in grant writing will be provided
• Develop and submit fellow proposals and own research方向

Conocimientos

Peer-reviewed publications

Experimental skills

Analytical skills

Scientific writing

Independent and collaborative work

Educación

Ph.D. in neurobiology or related field

Herramientas

Caenorhabditis elegans

Neuroscience methods

Descripción del empleo

Post Doc (6)

Job Location: US-MA-Worcester

Job Details

• Requisition Number: 2026-52207
• # of Openings: 1
• Posted Date: Day
• Shift: Exempt
• Exempt/Non-Exempt Status: Non Union Position-W63-Residents/Post Docs
• Union Code: Non Union Position - Residents/Post Docs (W63)
• Position Type: Full-Time
• Min: USD $72,960.00/Yr.
• Max: USD $72,960.00/Yr.

Overview

Postdoctoral position in Gut-Brain Communication

Alkema Laboratory | Department of Neurobiology | UMass Chan Medical School

We’re looking for a motivated, creative postdoctoral fellow to join the Alkema laboratory in the Department of Neurobiology at UMass Chan Medical School. If you’re excited by questions about how nervous systems generate complex behaviors and adapt them to changes in the internal and external environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Our research uses Caenorhabditis elegans to address two complementary questions. First, we investigate how neuromodulators and co-transmitters generate behavioral states and control transitions between them. Second, we examine how the gut microbiota and microbial metabolites influence neural function, physiology, and behavior.

These projects explore the mechanisms by which internal state, environmental conditions, and microbial signals are integrated by the nervous system. We combine genetics, molecular biology, quantitative behavioral analysis, neural imaging, optogenetics, bacterial genetics, and metabolomics.

The successful candidate will have considerable freedom to develop an independent research direction within either of these areas or at their intersection. Our lab is a collaborative and intellectually engaging place to work, where curiosity, creativity, and experimental rigor are all valued - and where you’ll have colleagues invested in your growth as a scientist. You’ll also be part of a, interactive research community in the Department of Neurobiology at UMass Chan, with access to advanced imaging, genomic, metabolomic, and computational resources.

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in neurobiology, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, metabolism, bioinformatics, or a related field
• Previous peer-reviewed publications
• Strong experimental, analytical, and scientific-writing skills
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• An interest in neuromodulation, behavior, or microbiome-host communication

Previous experience with C. elegans is helpful but not required.

Applicants with backgrounds in neuroscience, microbiology, microbial genetics, imaging, metabolomics, or quantitative biology are encouraged to apply.

Postdoctoral fellows will be actively involved in manuscript and grant writing. Training and mentorship in grant writing will be provided, and fellows will be encouraged to develop and submit their own fellowship and research proposals.