Postdoctoral Associate / Research Scientist in Systems Neuroscience and/or Neuroengineering

VS-Postdoc; Pittsburgh, Northern (Allegheny County, KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Pittsburgh - Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition /Bioengineering invites applications for a postdoctoral associate, research scientist, or research associate. The lab studies basal ganglia circuits, dopamine dynamics, and learning using high-density electrophysiology, optical sensors, and Mus musculus? primates.

Interdisciplinary collaborations with Pitt, CMU, UPMC drive impact. We seek candidates with a PhD in neuroscience or related fields, strong communication, and a track

Qualifications

• PhD in neuroscience, engineering, biology, psychology, CS or related fields.
• Strong communication, teamwork and self-motivation.
• Ability to conduct independent research with a publication record.
• Experience with animal handling/surgeries, electrophysiology or related neural-recording methods would be advantageous.
• Programming in MATLAB or Python; knowledge of data science, statistics or dynamical systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Investigate basal ganglia systems and dopamine dynamics in learning and decision making.
• Record neural activity with electrophysiology and optical sensors in primates.
• Collaborate with Pitt, CMU, UPMC, and external institutes to advance project goals.
• Develop and apply computational analyses to neural data.

Skills

Communication

Independent research

Motivation

Education

PhD

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Data analysis

Machine learning

Job description

Postdoctoral Associate / Research Scientist in Systems Neuroscience and/or Neuroengineering

2026-09-07

Employer

University of Pittsburgh - Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition /Bioengineering

Location

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh

Website

Applied Science, Computing, Engineering, Health Science, Life Science

Job Type

Postdoctoral, Researcher

Employment - Hours

Full time

Duration

Permanent

Qualification

PhD

Sector

The Schwerdt lab (https://schwerdt.pitt.edu) invites applications for apostdoctoral associate, research scientist, or research associate position atthe University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) (Department of Bioengineering, Center forthe Neural Basis of Cognition).

About the Position

Our lab uses cutting-edge techniques to investigate the basal ganglia systemsincluding the dopamine neuromodulator dynamics and their involvement in learningand decision making. Our goal is to elucidate the neural processes underlyingthese behaviors and how they become compromised in debilitating disorders likeParkinson’s disease. We work with Rhesus monkeys to probe the behaviors andcircuits that closely resemble those of humans, including complex learningstrategies and skeletomotor control—functions that are also affected inParkinson’s. We integrate high-density electrophysiology (e.g., Neuropixels),optical sensors / fiber photometry (e.g., Dlight), fast-scan cyclic voltammetry,and custom-made high-density sensing arrays, with carefully designed behavioraltasks. Many of our research projects are highly interdisciplinary(neurophysiology, behavior, computational, clinical etc.) and leveragecollaboration with experts across Pitt, CMU, UPMC, and external institutes tomaximize the quality and impact of our work. We also try to bridge our animalwork with human studies. For example, we have underway plans for dopaminemeasurements in humans in collaboration with neurosurgeons. Finally, our labalso involves developing new tools to measure neurochemical and electricalneural activity (spikes and oscillations) chronically and at high density inprimates (monkeys and humans). We are looking for someone who is passionateabout one or more of these areas of research being applied in our lab, andwilling to learn and lead in a challenging and fast-paced multi-disciplinaryenvironment.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in neuroscience, engineering, biology, psychology, computer science oranother computational major, mathematics, physics, or other related fields

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, work ethics and motivationaldrive

Ability to design and carry out research independently, with evidence of highquality research (e.g., publication record)

Other Desired Qualifications

Highly competitive applicants will have experience in one or more of thefollowing:

Animal handling and surgeries (preferably nonhuman primates, or willing tolearn)

Electrophysiology or others forms of recording neural activity

Behavioral training

Programming in MATLAB or Python

Data science, statistics, machine learning, modeling, dynamical systems, orother advanced computational and/or mathematical techniques to analyze neuraldata

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: Commensurate with experience
• Benefits: Comprehensive Pitt employee benefits packageincluding health insurance, paid parental leave, retirement plans, andprofessional development support.

The Department of Bioengineering is strongly committed to a diverse academicenvironment and places high priority on attracting female and underrepresentedminority candidates. We strongly encourage candidates from these groups to applyfor the position. The University of Pittsburgh is an affirmative action/equalopportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color,disability, gender, gender identity, marital status, national or ethnic origin,race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.