Postdoctoral Scholar Research - Bohn's Lab

University of South Florida; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Collaborative research environment

Access to core facilities

Career development & mentoring

Competitive salary and benefits

Job summary

The University of South Florida in Tampa seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to contribute to interdisciplinary projects examining nervous system function and pharmacological modulation.

The successful candidate will conduct rodent behavioral assays, design in vivo experiments, and collaborate across molecular, cellular, and behavioral biology teams, with opportunities for career development and publication.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field with postdoctoral training.
• Must meet university criteria for appointment to Postdoctoral Fellow.
• U.S. employment eligibility required.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to interdisciplinary projects studying nervous system function and pharmacological modulation.
• Perform rodent behavioral assays in vivo.
• Collaborate with molecular, cellular, and behavioral scientists across teams.
• Publish findings and participate in career development and mentoring.

Skills

Mouse behavioral assays

In vivo experimental design

Statistical analysis

Behavioral phenotyping

Animal handling

Education

Doctoral degree in a related field

Tools

IACUC familiarity

Colony management

Rodent handling

Job description

Job Description

Successful candidates will contribute to interdisciplinary projects combining molecular, cellular, and behavioral approaches to study nervous system function and pharmacological modulation.

Job Description

Successful candidates will contribute to interdisciplinary projects combining molecular, cellular, and behavioral approaches to study nervous system function and pharmacological modulation.

What We Offer

• A dynamic and collaborative research environment within USF Health in downtown Tampa on the waterfront
• Access to cutting-edge core facilities and resources
• Opportunities for career development, mentoring, and publication
• Competitive salary and benefits in accordance with NIH guidelines

Responsibilities

We are specifically seeking a behaviorist with experience in rodent models.

Candidates must have:

• Hands-on experience conducting mouse behavioral assays
• Familiarity with:
  • Experimental design for in vivo studies (including statistical analysis)
  • Behavioral phenotyping in response to drug treatment (e.g. nociception, respiratory/cardiovascular, or affective assays)
  • Animal handling and colony management and IACUC familiarity

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Doctoral degree from an accredited institution and appropriate experience and training within a selected area of specialization. Must meet university criteria for appointment to the rank of Postdoctoral Fellow.

Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.

SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements

A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:

• Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
• Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
• Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree

Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.

Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated research productivity (peer-reviewed publications preferred)
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative team environment
• Integration of behavioral data with molecular/pharmacological approaches
• Statistical analysis of behavioral datasets.

About Us

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.