Post Doctoral Assoc

Rutgers University; Piscataway Township (NJ); On-site; USD 20,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, prescription drug, and dental

Paid vacation and holidays

Competitive retirement benefits

Education benefits

Life insurance

Employee discounts

Job summary

Rutgers University seeks a Post Doctoral Associate at the Brain Health Institute to study how the orexin system interacts with stress and reward circuits involved in neuropsychiatric disorders. The role uses rodent memory, stress and reward models with advanced behavioral and chemogenetic techniques in a fully on-site lab in Piscataway, NJ.

The candidate will analyze data, conduct a range of behavioral and pharmacological experiments, document findings, and contribute to advancing orexin-based

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, organize, and present data at laboratory meetings and major scientific meetings.
• 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

Skills

PhD in Neuroscience

Rodent behavior experiments

Education

PhD in Neuroscience or Biology

Job description

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title: Post Doctoral Assoc

Job Category: Staff & Executive - Healthcare - Other

Department: Brain Health Institute

Overview: 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.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• 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

Salary Details

• $64,000
• Minimum Salary: 20,000
• Mid Range Salary: 90,000
• Maximum Salary: 200,000

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

• 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

Standard Hours: 37.50

Work Arrangement: This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.

Union Description: Post Docs - Regular Salaried

Payroll Designation: PeopleSoft

Terms of Appointment: Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility: ABP

Qualifications

• 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.

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 Details

Posting Number: 26ST1730

Regional Campus: Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)

Home Location Campus: Piscataway (RBHS)

City: Piscataway

State: NJ

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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 an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement