Post-Doctoral Associate: Pathophysiology of PD

University of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Paid holidays

Professional training

Medical & dental plans

HSA contributions

Wellbeing program

Employee assistance program

Job summary

The Neuromodulation Research Center (NMRC) at the University of Minnesota seeks a postdoctoral associate to study Parkinson's disease using a progressive preclinical MPTP rhesus macaque model. Focus areas include high-density neural recordings across basal ganglia and thalamo-cortical circuits to examine population dynamics and oscillatory activity.

Under the supervision of Luke Johnson, PhD, and Jerrold Vitek, MD, PhD, the selected candidate will analyze large-scale electrophysiological data

Qualifications

• PhD in Neuroscience, BME, ECE, or a related field.
• Strong quantitative background and signal processing for neural activity analysis.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and collaborative spirit.
• Strong publication record with conference abstracts.
• Proficiency in MATLAB and Python (preferred).
• Experience with electrophysiological recording, especially Neuropixel high-density recordings.

Responsibilities

• 75% Research duties: neural data collection, analysis, and method development using Neuropixel probes.
• 10% Supervision and project management: lead junior members and volunteers.
• 10% Career development: skill building, leadership training, weekly mentor meetings.
• 5% Travel and presentations: disseminate findings via abstracts, posters, papers.

Skills

PhD in Neuroscience, BME, ECE

Interpersonal skills

Quantitative analysis

Publications/Abstracts

MATLAB

Python

Neuropixel

Electrophysiology

Education

PhD in Neuroscience, BME, ECE, or related field

Tools

Neuropixel

Job description

Job ID: 376342

Location: Twin Cities

Job Family: Academic

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Job Code: 9546

Employee Class: Acad Prof and Admin

About the Job

Position Summary: The Neuromodulation Research Center (NMRC), at the University of Minnesota, seeks a postdoctoral associate to study the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD), in a progressive, preclinical, MPTP rhesus macaque model of disease progression. In particular, we are looking for candidates with interest and experience with high density recording approaches, building on recent work in our lab establishing acute and semi-chronic Neuropixel implantation approaches targeting basal ganglia, thalamus and cortex. Neural recordings are acquired across the basal ganglia thalamo-cortical circuit to examine changes in cell population dynamics, oscillatory activity, and connectivity as motor signs develop and become more severe, and as they improve with treatment conditions. These studies aim to provide the rationale for development of neuromodulatory approaches designed to reshape network activity.

Under the supervision of Luke Johnson, PhD and Jerrold Vitek, MD PhD, the associate will work collaboratively within the NMRC on an existing project supporting the collection and analysis of large-scale electrophysiological data sets. Trainees will also have opportunities for clinical exposure through our robust deep brain stimulation and movement disorders clinical research program. Candidates may refer to the below papers for context relating to ongoing experiments:

• Bauer et al 2023 J. Neural Eng: https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/acd0d7
• Ning et al. 2026 bioRxiv: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.04.21.719912
• Mohanty et al. 2025 PNAS: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2510287122
• Johnson et al. 2021 Movement disorders: https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.28566

Work Schedule: Hybrid, M-F, 8:30am - 5:00pm

Duties/Responsibilities:

• 75% Research Duties: Neural data collection, analysis; experimental and method development related to the use of Neuropixel recording probes in a preclinical paradigm. Analyze single and multi-unit activity derived from distributed brain regions to assess how neural circuits coordinate in the PD condition during a multiplicity of behaviors and conditions.
• 10% Supervision and Project Management: Manage direct junior lab members and volunteers to ensure timely completion of project aims
• 10% Career Development: Professional skills, leadership training, technical skills development, weekly mentor meetings
• 5% Travel and Presentations: Dissemination of research via abstracts, posters, and papers: may require travel away from the University of Minnesota campus

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Neuroscience, BME, ECE, or similar field
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with others
• Strong quantitative background and signal processing expertise appropriate for the analysis of neural activity
• Strong record of presenting research results through publications and conference abstracts

Preferred Qualifications:

• Programming in MATLAB / Python
• Experience with electrophysiological recording and analysis techniques, particularly high density recordings such as Neuropixel

About the Department

The Neuromodulation Research Center (NMRC) involves collaborations across multiple fields including Neurology, Neurosurgery, Biomedical Engineering, Radiology, and Biostatistics; melding the expertise of a diverse team into a unique translational research model. More information about our center can be found here: https://nmrc.umn.edu/

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $65,480 - $79,076 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

• 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.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

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.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.