Research Associate in Biology

University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 61,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Biology at University of Virginia invites applications for a postdoctoral Research Associate in Dr. Harris Kaplan’s lab. The work uses molecular and neurophysiological techniques to study infant brain function and behavior, with mice as a model, focusing on infant sleep and sleep state regulation.

The selected candidate will work closely with Dr. Kaplan, support research initiatives, mentor students, and help develop new approaches.

Qualifications

• PhD in Neuroscience, Biology, or a related field by the start date.
• Demonstrated expertise in electrophysiology in head-fixed infant rodents.
• Experience defining sleep states in rodents, especially infants.
• Proficiency with brain histology, rodent husbandry, and molecular biology techniques.
• Strong experimental design, data analysis, and data management.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with publications or presentations.
• Ability to develop and learn new techniques and approaches.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team and mentor junior members.

Responsibilities

• Support research initiatives under Dr. Kaplan and mentor lab students.
• Complete planned project work and develop new directions for the project.
• Contribute to experimental design and data interpretation.
• Assist with collaboration and dissemination of findings.

Skills

Electrophysiology

Sleep-state analysis

Data analysis

Mentorship

Communication

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Neuroscience, Biology, or related field

Tools

Brain histology

Rodent husbandry

Molecular biology techniques

Single‑nucleus RNA sequencing

MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

The Department of Biology at the University of Virginia invites applicants for a postdoctoral Research Associate position in Dr. Harris Kaplan’s lab. The Kaplan Laboratory uses molecular and neurophysiological techniques to study infant brain function and behavior, such as sleep and parent‑infant interactions, using mice as a model system. The research associate will work on a project to rigorously define infant sleep behaviors in infant mice and identify subcortical cell types that regulate infant mouse sleep. The core of this work will involve the use of electrophysiological tools to measure brain state in head‑fixed infant mice cycling between sleep and wake. Associated projects involve dissecting small brainstem and hypothalamic regions for single‑nucleus RNA‑sequencing to identify cell types that may underlie sleep state.

The selected candidate will work directly with Dr. Kaplan to support research initiatives, as well as mentor students in the lab in research projects. The candidate will be expected to complete some planned work on the project, as well as develop new ideas and approaches in the lab to take the project in new directions.

Required Qualifications

• A PhD in Neuroscience, Biology, or a related field by the start date

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in electrophysiology in head‑fixed infant rodents.
• Experience in defining sleep states in rodents, especially infants.
• Demonstrated technical experience including brain histology, rodent husbandry, and behavior, and/or standard molecular biology techniques.
• Strong ability in experimental design, data analysis, and data management.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, as evidenced by publications, conferences, or other forms of scientific communication.
• Ability to develop and learn new technical skills and approaches.
• Proficiency with computer software, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Experience and ability in mentorship of junior lab members.
• Ability to show initiative and leadership within and beyond the lab.

Application Deadline

Review of applications will begin on August 31, 2026. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

Anticipated start date for this position is December 1, 2026, but the start date is flexible.

The anticipated hiring range is $61,000–$64,000, commensurate with education and experience.

This is a one-year appointment; however, the appointment may be renewed for additional one-year increments, contingent upon available funding and satisfactory performance.

For questions about the position, please contact Harris Kaplan, Assistant Professor, at [e-mail].

For questions about the application process, please contact Richard Haverstrom, Academic Recruiter, at [e-mail].

For information on the benefits available to postdoctoral associates at UVA, visit postdoc.virginia.edu and hr.virginia.edu/benefits.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.