Postdoctoral Scholars - Ostlund Laboratory - Anesthesiology & Perioperative Care

UC Irvine; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 69,073 - 82,836; Full time

Job summary

UC Irvine School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Care, Ostlund Laboratory invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar. The successful candidate will join a multi-year project examining neural basis of cognitive and motivational deficits after chronic opiate exposure.

The lab uses rodent behavioral assays and cutting-edge neuroscience tools including chemogenetics, optogenetics, and fiber photometry to study adaptive motivated behavior and decision making.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent required at application time (or candidate working toward PhD).
• Experience in addiction or behavioral neuroscience encouraged.
• Experience with rodent behavior and neuroscience techniques is a plus.

Skills

Neuroscience knowledge

Addiction research

Rodent behavior training

Data science

Education

PhD or equivalent (at time of application) or in progress

Tools

Chemogenetics

Optogenetics

Fiber photometry

Viral neuroscience tools

Job description

Position Overview

Salary range: $69,073-$82,836. See Postdoctoral Scholar Table for the salary range for this position.

Application Window

Open date: October 1, 2025. Most recent review date: Thursday, Apr 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled. Final date: Wednesday, Sep 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position Description

UC Irvine School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Care, Postdoctoral Scholars – Ostlund Laboratory. Postdoctoral Scholar position is currently open in the lab of Dr. Sean Ostlund at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine.

Research in the Ostlund lab aims to uncover neural mechanisms of adaptive motivated behavior and decision making and how they go awry to support pathological reward seeking in drug addiction and related disorders. We use sophisticated rodent behavioral assays to dissect fundamental psychological processes that guide instrumental reward‑seeking behavior and combine these approaches with modern neuroscience tools including chemogenetics, optogenetics, and fiber photometry in order to interrogate neural circuit function. We are recruiting a postdoctoral researcher for a new multi‑year project investigating neural mechanisms of cognitive and motivational deficits resulting from chronic opiate exposure and withdrawal.

UC Irvine boasts a vibrant neuroscience research community. The successful applicant will have ample opportunity to interact and collaborate with members of the Irvine Center for Addiction Neuroscience (ICAN), Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), and the Center for Neural Circuit Mapping (CNCM).

Qualifications

Basic qualifications: Applicants can either have a Ph.D or equivalent degree at the time of application or they could be working towards the Ph.D. (required at time of application).

Preferred Qualifications: Candidates with relevant training in addiction or behavioral neuroscience, specialized skills in rodent behavior, data science, viral neuroscience tools, and/or neuroanatomy are particularly encouraged to apply.

Application Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Statement of Research

Reference Requirements: 3-5 required (contact information only).

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC anti‑discrimination policy.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.

Job Location

Orange, CA / Irvine, CA