Postdoctoral Scholar - Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics

The Pennsylvania State University; United States; On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Grigson lab at Penn State University College of Medicine in Hershey, PA is seeking a PhD-level systems neuroscientist to join NIH-funded projects examining GLP-1R agonists and addiction-like behaviors in rats. You will work with deep learning-based behavior tracking, neural circuit manipulation and recording techniques, with opportunities to publish in collaboration with leading experts.

This is a term position; remote/hybrid work is not guaranteed.

Qualifications

• PhD in neuroscience or a closely related field.
• Experience with deep learning–based animal tracking and neural circuits.
• Experience with optogenetics and/or fiber photometry.
• Proficiency in Matlab and Python.
• Rodent surgery experience recommended.

Responsibilities

• Study GLP-1R agonists on drug seeking and reinstatement in rodents.
• Develop deep learning-based behavior tracking linked to neural circuits.
• Perform intraoral procedures and video-based facial response analysis.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and publish findings.
• Contribute to NIH project goals and reporting period.

Skills

Systems neuroscience

Deep learning

Behavior tracking

Optogenetics

Chemogenetics

Fiber photometry

Python

Matlab

Neuroinformatics

Education

PhD in neuroscience

Postdoctoral experience

Tools

Med Associates

DSI equipment

Job description

Position Specifications

The Grigson lab at Penn State University College of Medicine in Hershey, PA is looking for a highly motivated postdoc who is willing to embrace new approaches to important questions in neuroscience. We have multiple NIH‑funded projects to study the influence of FDA‑approved GLP‑1R agonists on drug seeking and reinstatement in rodents. A newly funded NIH R01 has the goal to determine who may be vulnerable to developing substance use disorders, when, how, why, and what might be done about it. Here, we will use the aversive behavioral and neurochemical response to the intraoral (IO) delivery of a drug‑paired taste cue (i.e., conditioned withdrawal) to track the development of addiction in the most vulnerable male and female rats and to test the hypothesis that engagement of, not only reward substrates, but also homeostatic need substrates, contributes to the catastrophic transition from liking and wanting drug to needing drug early in the development of the disease. Techniques that will be used in this project include intraoral catheter fluid delivery, video monitoring of facial responses (i.e., gapes), operant conditioning (Med Associates), telemetry for anterior digastric muscle activation (DSI, Harvard), and invivo fiber photometry (TDT).

We are particularly looking for a PhD‑level systems neuroscientist with expertise in animal behavior tracking using deep learning algorithms and their causal link with specific neural circuits. Expertise in circuit manipulation (e.g., optogenetics, chemogenetics) and/or recording (e.g., fiber photometry) is highly desirable. However, candidates with other experimental and/or data skills are welcome to apply. Experience in computer programming (e.g., Matlab, Python) and neuroinformatics tools is a plus but not required. Previous work with rats and basic surgical experience is strongly recommended. We aim to build a strong research team with complementary expertise. Furthermore, we have several ongoing projects that bring different expertise and provide ample opportunities to publish with leading experts in different fields of neuroscience.

Eligible candidates should send a CV including the names of three professional references and a brief statement of research and career plan with technical skills.

This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding. Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.

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.

EEO Statement

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. The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

Through its commitment to and application of the federal contractors labor law poster, the PA State Labor Law Poster and Penn State policies, we affirm our dedication to labor standards and equity.

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