Post Doctoral Assoc

Rutgers University; Piscataway Township (NJ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Rutgers University, a leading public research university, seeks a Post Doc Associate for the Brain Health Institute within Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS). The role focuses on how orexin interacts with stress and reward circuits, exploring neuropsychiatric disorders and potential orexin-based therapies.

Work involves rodent models, advanced behavioral assays, and viral vector-based approaches.

Qualifications

• PhD in Neuroscience, Biological Sciences, or a related field.
• Demonstrated productivity with first-author publications (2+).

Responsibilities

• Analyze, organize, and present data at lab and scientific meetings.
• Perform behavioral and pharmacological experiments in rodents.
• Conduct stereotaxic brain surgeries and intracerebral infusions.
• Utilize chemogenetic and immunohistochemical techniques to study neuropsychiatric disorders.
• Maintain detailed records and assist in ongoing projects.

Skills

Rodent behavior

Chemogenetics

Data presentation

Surgical techniques

Immunohistochemistry

Education

PhD in Neuroscience or Biological Sciences

Tools

Viral vectors

Stereotaxic surgery

Job description

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

New Jersey’s academic health center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences ( RBHS ) takes an integrated approach to educating students, providing clinical care, and conducting research, all with the goal of improving human health. Aligned with Rutgers University-New Brunswick and collaborating university wide, RBHS includes eight schools, a behavioral health network, and five centers and institutes that focus on cancer treatment and research, neuroscience, advanced biotechnology and medicine, environmental and occupational health, and health care policy and aging research. Our faculty are teachers, clinicians, and scientists with unparalleled experience who advance medical innovation and provide patient care informed by the latest research findings. We offer an outstanding education in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, biomedical research, and the full spectrum of allied health careers. Our clinical and academic facilities are located throughout the state at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, including Piscataway; and at locations in Newark, Scotch Plains, Somerset, Stratford, and other locations. Clinical partners include Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Newark’s University Hospital in Newark, and other affiliates. Through this community of healers, scientists, and scholars, Rutgers is equipped as never before to transform lives.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Post Doc Associate for the Brain Health Institute within Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences ( RBHS ). The primary purpose for the Post Doc Associate is to perform experiments to examine how the orexin system interacts with stress and reward circuitries to understand how these circuits are involved in neuropsychiatric disorders, including memory and decision disorders, depression and substance abuse. This knowledge will facilitate the development of orexin-based therapies that can effectively treat the multifaceted symptoms associated with this neural system. This Post Doc Associate will perform research using advanced behavioral, chemogenetic and neuroscience approaches in rodent memory, stress and reward self-administration models. Research will use orexin-cre rats and local microinjections of DIO viral vectors into brain, immunohistochemical analyses, as well as assays for behavioral phenotypes to identify brain circuits responsible for neuropsychiatric disorders associated with decision, memory and motivational dysfunctions.

• Analyze, organize, and present data at laboratory meetings and major scientific meetings.
• As directed, perform various research and clinical technical operations relative to ongoing investigatory activities of a laboratory; may assist in conducting specialized research for a particular phase of a project.
• Conduct behavioral and pharmacological experiments in rodents to develop novel therapeutic approaches to treat disorders of stress, decision-making, memory, motivation and reward.
• Conduct behavioral and pharmacological experiments in rodents to develop novel therapeutic approaches to mitigate symptoms associated with stress, depression and/or Alzheimer’s disease.
• Conduct behavioral, anatomic, chemogenetic, pharmacological and chemogenetic experiments in rodents to delineate mechanisms underlying drug abuse.
• Conduct conditioned place preference, and learning and memory tasks, intracerebral infusions, and pharmacological manipulations in rodents to develop novel therapeutic approaches to prevent development of addiction propensity during chronic administration of drugs of abuse.
• Keeps detailed records of procedures and experiences.
• Performs various research and technical operations relative to ongoing investigatory activities of a laboratory; may assist in conducting specialized research for a particular phase of a project.
• Perform rodent surgical techniques, in particular stereotaxic brain surgery and microinjections using fine glass micropipettes

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Salary Details

Salary Details $64,000

Minimum Salary 20,000

Mid Range Salary 90,000

Maximum Salary 200,000

Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status

Full Time

Working Hours

Standard Hours

Standard Hours 37.50

Daily Work Shift

Work Arrangement

This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.

Union Description

Post Docs - Regular Salaried

Payroll Designation

PeopleSoft

Seniority Unit

Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility

ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• A PhD Degree in Neuroscience, Biological Sciences, or a relevant field is required plus 3 years of related research experience.
• The incumbent should also demonstrate a record of productivity as first author on two or more published works.

Certifications/Licenses

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Preferred Qualifications

Physical Demands and Work Environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

Sitting, standing, walking, reaching, kneeling, talking and hearing. Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT :

Scientific research laboratory. Computer data input. Universal safety precautions are mandatory. Lab environment. Moderate noise. Exposure to blood, excrement, anti-neoplastic drugs and possible exposure to infectious and communicable diseases. Exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Posting Number

26ST1730

Regional Campus

Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)

Home Location Campus

Piscataway (RBHS)

City

Piscataway

State

NJ

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals , if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As