Postdoctoral Position

Vanderbilt Medical Group; Nashville, Northern (TN, KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt University, Johnson Laboratory, is offering a Postdoctoral position starting September 1, 2026, in the Biological Sciences department. The project focuses on innovative luminescence and BRET-based sensors to monitor neural activity in freely behaving mice, integrating optogenetics to study circadian rhythms and reward pathways.

Collaboration with Princeton and UCLA labs enhances access to miniscopes and advanced optical tech.

Qualifications

• PhD in neuroscience or a related field is required or strongly preferred.
• Experience with luminescence/fluorescence methods and imaging techniques is desirable.
• Background in neurobiology and molecular genetics techniques is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Develop luminescence-based sensors to monitor neural activity in freely behaving mice.
• Collaborate with labs at Princeton and UCLA to apply miniscopes and optical technologies.

Skills

Luminescence imaging

Neurobiology

Molecular genetics techniques

Fluorescence microscopy

Education

PhD in Neuroscience or related field

Tools

BRET techniques

Microscopy equipment

Job description

Postdoctoral Position available September 1, 2026, in the Johnson Laboratory at Vanderbilt University

Department Biological Sciences

Full Description

Innovative Luminescence Assay for Neural Activity: My laboratory has developed innovative techniques using luminescence and/or BRET (Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer) to monitor gene expression or protein-protein interactions non‑invasively. These luminescence techniques have significant advantages over fluorescence‑based (and other) methodologies. The current position is to further develop these state‑of‑the art luminescence techniques and apply them as non‑invasive monitors of neural synaptic activity in freely behaving mice (see our publication PMC5476805). Our sensors will be applied to answer fundamental neurobiological questions in conjunction with optogenetics, including the neurobiology of circadian (daily) rhythms and reward pathways. We will be collaborating with hotshot labs at Princeton and UCLA who specialize in miniscopes and optical technologies to record and control the intracellular signaling mechanisms that govern brain function and animal behaviour.

Desirable experience for the new postdoc includes a background in luminescence/fluorescence, microscopic imaging, neurobiology, and/or standard molecular genetic techniques.

There are excellent facilities and collaborations available within the Vanderbilt community, including the Vanderbilt Brain Institute and other laboratories that study circadian clocks & sleep (e.g., the lab of Doug McMahon). Nashville is an exciting city with many artistic events (especially music) as well as close proximity to nature. For more information about my laboratory, see our website:http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/johnsonlab/