Postdoctoral Scholar in Genetics and Neuroscience

The Pennsylvania State University; Ferguson Township (PA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Opportunity for professional development

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University is seeking a postdoctoral scholar in the Laboratory of Dr. Santhosh Girirajan to study neurodevelopmental disorders using mouse models. The position involves designing behavioral assays and linking genetic perturbations to neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Applicants should possess a PhD in a related field and have expertise in genetics, neuroscience, and data analysis. The role offers a collaborative environment emphasizing mentoring and team-based research practices.

Competitive benefits package available for full-time employees.

Qualifications

• Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant field with expertise in mouse models.
• Demonstrated experience in neurodevelopmental disorders is required.
• Strong background in genetics and quantitative analysis is essential.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement behavioral assays in mouse models.
• Link functional outcomes to genetic perturbations.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students.

Skills

Functional studies in mouse models

Research in neurodevelopmental disorders

Quantitative data analysis

Genetics expertise

Programming (R, Python)

Education

PhD in neuroscience, genetics, psychology, biology, or related field

Job description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional information on remote work at Penn State, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants.

This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the termlengthdiscussed willbebasedonuniversityneed,performance,and/oravailabilityoffunding.

POSITION SPECIFICS

A postdoctoral position is available immediately in the Laboratory of Dr. Santhosh Girirajan in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Penn State to study the genetic and neural mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders using mouse models. The research program in the Girirajan laboratory focuses on integrating family-based genetic studies with quantitative functional methodologies to understand how genes and genetic interactions contribute to phenotypes in neurodevelopmental disorders.

The postdoctoral scholar will design and implement behavioral and neurodevelopmental assays, linking functional outcomes to genetic perturbations in mouse models. The position provides the opportunity to work at the interface of genetics, mouse behavior, and molecular neuroscience, with additional training in genomics and computational approaches.

Education and Experience

Applicants should hold a PhD in neuroscience, genetics, psychology, biology, or a related field, with demonstrated expertise in functional studies in mouse models and research relevant to neurodevelopmental or neuropsychiatric disorders. Required qualifications include strong training in genetics, neuroscience, and quantitative data analysis. Programming experience (e.g., R, Python, or related languages) is preferred but not required. Applicants should also be willing to mentor undergraduate and graduate students, as the research program emphasizes collaborative, team-based science.

Application Materials

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter detailing their research interests, CV, and a list of referees.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.

For more detailed information, please visit ourBenefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

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Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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