Post-Doctoral Associate - Measurement and Manipulation of Developing Cortical Networks

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 62,232 - 75,564; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Paid holidays

Generous time off

Professional training

Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans

Disability and life insurance

Employee wellbeing program

Financial counseling services

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

The University of Minnesota is seeking a motivated and talented postdoctoral researcher to study the mechanisms of cortical network formation in the developing brain using optical approaches. Candidates should have a Ph.D. in neuroscience or a related field, with experience in areas like multiphoton imaging or optogenetics. The position offers a competitive pay range of $62,232 to $75,564, comprehensive benefits, and a rich academic environment for collaboration and development.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent in neuroscience, biology, or related field.
• Experience in multiphoton imaging, optogenetics, calcium imaging, or in vivo electrophysiology.
• Strong interest in systems neuroscience.

Responsibilities

• Employ optical approaches to study cortical network formation.
• Investigate how perturbations of early network function impact development.

Skills

Multiphoton imaging

Optogenetics

Calcium imaging

In vivo electrophysiology

Systems neuroscience

Education

Ph.D. in neuroscience, biology, or related field

Job description

About the Job

The Smith lab at the University of Minnesota is seeking a motivated and talented postdoctoral researcher to employ optical approaches to study the mechanisms of cortical network formation in the developing brain. We have recently obtained funding to use wide‑field and 2‑photon optogenetics to investigate how perturbations of early network function impact development.

Qualifications

Preferred candidates will have a Ph.D. or equivalent in neuroscience, biology, or a related field, and experience in one or more of the following areas: multiphoton imaging, optogenetics, calcium imaging, and / or in vivo electrophysiology. Applicants without prior experience in these areas but with a strong interest in systems neuroscience and applying optical approaches to investigate circuit function are also encouraged to apply.

About the Department

Smith Lab: http://www.smithneurolab.org/ The Smith lab is a member of the Optical Imaging Medical Discovery Team (https://med.umn.edu/brainscience), a $30M initiative at UMN establishing a highly collaborative group of research labs focused on utilizing optical approaches to uncover the function and organization of neural circuits. The postdoctoral fellow will join the intellectually rich neuroscience community at UMN, which brings together behaviorists, electrophysiologists, and computational neuroscientists, and includes the world leading Center for Magnetic Resonance Research. UMN is an excellent training environment for postdocs, with extensive support for trainees and a strong postdoctoral association (https://pda.umn.edu/).

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $62,232 to $75,564 (NIH Stipend levels or above); depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Pay and benefit information can be found on the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.