Research Associate - Circuit Based Model Systems of Anhedonia (CMA)

BioMed X; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded position

Flexible working environment

International network access

Job summary

BioMed X, a leading innovation hub for pharma, seeks two research associates to join team CMA in New Haven, CT. You will contribute to investigating anhedonia mechanisms, generating data, and shaping project design under mentorship from a group leader and post-docs.

Ideal candidates hold a Bachelors/Masters in neuroscience or psychology, with 1–2 years of wetlab or computational neuroscience experience and strong scientific communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Neuroscience/Psychology.
• 1–2 years wetlab/computational neuroscience lab experience.
• Strong written and oral scientific communication skills.
• References from research mentors speaking to their competency as a scientific researcher.

Responsibilities

• Generate data and contribute to project design.
• Receive direct mentorship from the group leader and postdocs to refine technical proficiency.
• Present research findings to team CMA and collaborators.

Skills

Wetlab experience

Computational neuroscience

Scientific communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Neuroscience/Psychology

Tools

Mammalian cell culture

In-situ hybridization

Western blotting

Immunohistochemistry

Job description

BioMed X is a leading innovation hub for pharma. With our global network of research institutes at top universities and incubators within pharmaceutical companies, we bridge the gap between academia and industry.

We are pioneers in applying the principles of design thinking and crowdsourcing to drug discovery and development. With our unique model, we identify key challenges across all therapeutic areas, recruit top academic talent, and co-create tailored solutions with our pharma partners.

In our stimulating ecosystem, early-career researchers grow into future scientific leaders. They perform exploratory research, deliver industry-grade results, and pave the way to next-generation therapies. At BioMed X, we value curiosity, diversity, and purpose. Our goal is to serve as a vital catalyst for innovation in global health for the benefit of all patients.

About Team CMA

BioMed X is searching for two research associates to join a team of one group leader, Dr. Kevin Keary, and two post-docs to investigate the mechanisms and circuitry underlying anhedonia.

The focus of team CMA is anhedonia, the diminished ability to experience pleasure. It is a debilitating symptom in depression and core negative symptom in schizophrenia. The neurobiological underpinnings remain poorly understood despite this clear clinical need. While reduced dopamine activity in the ventral striatum has long been implicated, wider reward circuitry involving the prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, ventral tegmental area, and amygdala points to a broader network dysfunction. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests that neurotransmitter systems beyond dopamine – including opioids, serotonin, GABA, and glutamate – modulate the reward system in ways not yet fully mapped. The field lacks a clear mechanistic understanding of which neuronal subtypes across which brain regions are critical to manifesting anhedonia.

The aim of this project is to examine cell and brain region specific alterations in rodent and in vitro models of anhedonia to identify biomarkers and potential future therapeutic targets for anhedonia patients.

The Position

We are seeking two highly motivated research associates with a strong background in neuroscience research to join team CMA located in New Haven, Connecticut. The research associate will contribute to the generation of data and the overall design of the project. The research associate will receive direct mentorship from the group leader and postdocs to refine their technical proficiency, scientific thinking, and ability to present their research. This is a valuable opportunity to both break into industry science and gain more research experience before pursuing PhD programs.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Bachelors or Masters in Neuroscience/Psychology.
• 1-2 years of Wetlab/computational neuroscience lab experience.
• Strong written and oral scientific communication skills.
• References from research mentors speaking to their competency as a scientific researcher.

Required skills

• Mammalian Cell Culture (Including but not limited to sterile technique for neuronal culture and cellular differentiation).
• Cell and Molecular Experimental Skills (In-situ hybridization, western blotting, immunohistochemistry).
• Experience working in a research team and ability to meet deadlines set forth by the group leader.
• Coursework in neuroscience and knowledge of neuropsychiatric illness.

Additional skills, good to have

• Human neuroimaging analysis (fMRI, PET, MR Spectroscopy).

What we offer

• The position is fully funded by AbbVie and is immediately available.
• International, diverse, and positive work atmosphere with a flexible working environment.
• NIH-Aligned salary with employee benefits plan following the Post-Baccalaureate IRTA stipend table.
• Access to a vast scientific network.

Application deadline: September 30, 2026

• Curriculum Vitae outlining scientific interests, research achievements, and a record of publications.
• Valid US work authorization is required for this position.
• 2 references will be asked for after submission as a part of the interview process.

At BioMed X we embrace diversity as we consider it the source of innovation. We are committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ideology, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, or disability.

Please read about us, please visit: https://bmedx.com