POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR (ARALDI LAB)

University of Iowa; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 57,132 - 69,828; Full time

Job summary

The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City seeks a postdoctoral scholar in the ARALDI lab to advance pain signaling research. The position focuses on the transition from acute to chronic pain, using rodent and translational approaches, with NIH stipend alignment. Candidates should have a Ph.D.

or M.D./Ph.D. in neuroscience or related field, with hands-on experience in preclinical pain models, behavioral assays, molecular biology, and DRG work.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in neuroscience or related field is required.
• Experience with preclinical pain models and behavioral assessment.
• Strong molecular biology skills and DRG handling.

Responsibilities

• Present research at national and international meetings.
• Mentor junior trainees in the laboratory.
• Participate in the Pain Research Program and grant-writing support.
• Contribute to high-impact publications and manuscript preparation.

Skills

Pain models

Behavioral assays

Molecular biology

DRG isolation

Education

Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in neuroscience or related field

Tools

GraphPad Prism

R

Catch-clamp recording

Ca2+ imaging

Job description

POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR (ARALDI LAB) - Requisition # 4655

Position Basics

Advertising Ends on: Friday, August 7th, 2026

Advertising Started on: Friday, July 24th, 2026

College: Carver College of Medicine

Department: Neuroscience and Pharmacology

Salary

Salary: $63,480.00 to Commensurate

Position Details

Full/Part Time Status: Full Time

Percent Time: 100%

Position Description: A postdoctoral position is available immediately in the laboratory of Dioneia Araldi, MS.c., Ph.D., in the Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology at the University of Iowa.

The Araldi lab investigates signaling pathways that drive the transition from acute to chronic pain, with a focus on aging, neuropathic pain, chronic opioid use, and stress. The lab uses complementary rodent and human translational approaches to study pain-related mechanisms.

We are seeking a highly motivated scientist with a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in neuroscience or a related field. Applicants should have strengths in a subset of the core research areas relevant to the position, with additional training provided as needed.

The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative and interactive research team and will have the opportunity to contribute to high-impact publications. The position includes structured mentorship in manuscript preparation, career development awards, and preparation for the academic job market.

The postdoc will also be expected to present research at national and international scientific meetings and mentor junior trainees in the laboratory.

In addition, the candidate will participate in the Pain Research Program, which offers a highly collaborative training environment including didactic coursework, seminars, journal clubs, progress meetings, and grant-writing support. Trainees are encouraged to develop an independent research profile and pursue fellowship or career development funding early in the postdoctoral period.

Salary will follow the current NIH postdoctoral stipend scale and will be commensurate with experience. The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine is a major research and teaching center with a strong national reputation.

The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine has a national and international reputation as a major research and teaching center and ranks highly among U.S. News Best Graduate Schools (https://medicine.uiowa.edu/ui-carver-college-medicine-ranks-among-2023-best-graduate-schools-us-news). Iowa City is one of the most beautiful, safe, and collegial university towns in the Midwest, approximately 3.5 hours by car from Chicago, and offers a high standard of living, relatively low cost of living, and a rich cultural life. The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer.

Education Requirement: Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in neuroscience or a related field.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience with preclinical models of pain, including inflammatory and neuropathic pain syndromes
• Strong hands-on experience with behavioral assessment of evoked and spontaneous pain, including assays such as the Randall-Selitto, von Frey, Hargreaves test, and weight-bearing tests
• Experience with molecular biology techniques, including Western blotting, PCR, immunohistochemistry, and/or immunofluorescence
• Experience with dorsal root ganglion (DRG) isolation, processing, and analysis

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience with statistical analysis software such as GraphPad Prism or R
• Experience with catch-clamp recording
• Experience with Ca2+ imaging

Online Application Required Documents

Curriculum Vita
Name and Contact Information of References
Letters of Interest

Number of References: 3

To start the Online Application process for this position, click the Apply for This Position button located below the Contact Information.

Contact Information

Contact: Dioneia Araldi - [e-mail]
Cmed-Neurosci & Pharmacology
Bowen Science Building
51 Newton Road
2-430 BSB
Iowa City, IA 52242-1109
Department URL: https://neuroscience-pharmacology.medicine.uiowa.edu/

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.

Persons with disabilities may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, [phone] or [e-mail], to inquire or discuss accommodation needs.

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