Postdoctoral Fellow-MSH-30035-390

Mount Sinai; New York (NY); On-site; USD 73,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Mount Sinai Health System in New York invites a PhD-level scientist to join our neuroscience lab focused on fornix deep brain stimulation and memory. You will lead large-scale Neuropixels experiments in behaving primates and bridge basic research with clinical applications.

You will collaborate with clinicians, mentor junior researchers, present at international conferences, and contribute to high-impact publications while advancing translation of DBS therapies for cognitive disorders.

Qualifications

• PhD in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, psychology, electrical engineering, or related field.
• Proficiency in MATLAB or Python for data acquisition and analysis.
• Strong interest in bridging basic circuit mechanisms and translational applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex experiments using large-scale Neuropixels recordings and patterned microstimulation (DBS) in behaving primates.
• Collaborate with clinicians and DBS experts to translate circuit-level findings into frameworks for Alzheimer’s disease and dementias.
• Investigate circuit-level mechanisms of emerging therapies, focusing on fornix DBS effects on neural computation.
• Mentor junior lab members and contribute to building the research team.
• Present findings at international conferences and prepare manuscripts for high-impact publications.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

Data analysis

Education

PhD in Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Tools

C#

Arduino

Bash

Job description

Job Description

Details of Research Project

How can neuroscience help us design and optimize treatments for devastating disorders of learning and memory? Our lab directly addresses this challenge by leveraging our experimental platform to understand, test, and optimize therapeutic interventions for cognitive disorders. This project focuses on fornix deep brain stimulation (DBS-f)—a promising treatment for Alzheimer’s disease currently in Phase III clinical trials. The mechanism of this therapy is not known. We will combine DBS-f with our large-scale recording platform to provide a mechanistic, circuit-level explanation for its effects, with the long-term goal of optimizing its clinical application.

Technical Duties

You will be a core driver of our lab’s scientific mission, leveraging our custom-built research platform to answer fundamental questions about how the brain transforms experience into memory. Beyond the bench, you will have the unique opportunity to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical application through our established network. Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading complex experiments using large-scale Neuropixels recordings and patterned microstimulation (DBS) in behaving primates navigating immersive virtual reality environments.
• Collaborating directly with world-renowned clinicians and experts in DBS to translate circuit-level findings into frameworks for understanding and treating Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
• Investigating the circuit-level mechanisms of emerging therapies, specifically focusing on the effects of fornix DBS on neural computation.
• Mentoring junior lab members and assisting in the development of our growing research team.
• Presenting your findings at international conferences (e.g., Gordon Research Conference, Society for Neuroscience) and preparing manuscripts for high-impact publications.

Qualifications

Educational and other Requirements for the position

• A PhD in Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Proficiency in coding (MATLAB or Python) for data acquisition and analysis.
• A strong interest in bridging the gap between basic circuit mechanisms and translational applications.

Experience Required

• Laboratory experience working in behavioural neuroscience, prefereably with nonhuman primates
• Analysis of behavioural and neural datasets
• Proficiency in coding (C#, Arduino, bash)

Goals/Outcomes of the Research Project

• Mechanistic Understanding: Elucidate the circuit-level mechanisms by which DBS-f alters neural representations in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex to improve learning and memory.
• Therapeutic Optimization: Establish a framework for predicting and explaining the variable efficacy of DBS treatments, paving the way for optimized clinical protocols.
• Career Advancement: Produce high-quality datasets leading to first-author publications in top-tier journals and support the fellow’s transition to an independent research career.
• Technological Innovation: Advance the use of large-scale recording technologies (Neuropixels) combined with neuromodulation in awake, behaving primates

About Us

The Mount Sinai Health System is committed to fostering an environment where everyone can contribute to excellence. We share a common dedication to delivering outstanding patient care. When you join us, you become part of Mount Sinai's unparalleled legacy of achievement, education, and innovation as we work together to transform healthcare. We encourage all team members to actively participate in creating a culture that ensures fair access to opportunities, promotes inclusive practices, and supports the success of every individual.

Strength through Unity and Inclusion

At Mount Sinai, our leaders are committed to fostering a workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to grow. We strive to create an environment where collaboration, fairness, and continuous learning drive positive change, improving the well‑being of our staff, patients, and organization. Our leaders are expected to challenge outdated practices, promote a culture of respect, and work toward meaningful improvements that enhance patient care and workplace experiences. We are dedicated to building a supportive and welcoming environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and advance professionally. Explore this opportunity and be part of the next chapter in our history.

About the Mount Sinai Health System

Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with more than 48,000 employees working across eight hospitals, more than 400 outpatient practices, more than 300 labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time — discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it. Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients’ medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes more than 9,000 primary and specialty care physicians; 13 joint-venture outpatient surgery centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and more than 30 affiliated community health centers. We are consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals, receiving high “Honor Roll” status, and are highly ranked: No. 1 in Geriatrics, top 5 in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, and top 20 in Diabetes/Endocrinology, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology/Lung Surgery, Rehabilitation, and Urology. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked No. 12 in Ophthalmology. U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Children’s Hospitals” ranks Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital among the country’s best in several pediatric specialties. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is ranked No. 11 nationwide in National Institutes of Health funding and in the 99th percentile in research dollars per investigator according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Newsweek’s “The World’s Best Smart Hospitals” ranks The Mount Sinai Hospital as No. 1 in New York and in the top five globally, and Mount Sinai Morningside in the top 20 globally.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Mount Sinai Health System is an equal opportunity employer, complying with all applicable federal civil rights laws. We do not discriminate, exclude, or treat individuals differently based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are deeply committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, students, trainees, patients, visitors, and the communities we serve feel respected and supported. Our goal is to create a healthcare and learning institution that actively works to remove barriers, address challenges, and promote fairness in all aspects of our organization.

Compensation Statement

Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) provides a salary range to comply with the New York City Law on Salary Transparency in Job Advertisements. The salary range for the role is $72500 - $80000 Annually. Actual salaries depend on a variety of factors, including experience, education, and hospital need. The salary range or contractual rate listed does not include bonuses/incentive, differential pay or other forms of compensation or benefits.