Postdoctoral Fellow: Sleep/Wake Neurobiology

The Sleep Neurobiology Laboratory has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow with a background in cellular neurophysiology and integrative neuroscience, particularly expertise in neural circuit studies. The Fellow will work with a team of Research Scientists and technical staff to investigate the properties of neuronal cell types involved in sleep/wake control, their interconnections, and their roles in the neural circuits underlying arousal state control and in the sleep disorder narcolepsy. Cortical nNOS/NK1R neurons (Williams et al., 2019, Cerebral Cortex 29:1090-1108), TAAR1 (see Black et al., 2017, Biol Psychiatry 82:623-633) and hypothalamic hypocretin/orexin and MCH neurons (see Izawa et al., 2019, Science 365:1308-13) are of particular interest.  Opportunities exist to collaborate with scientists involved in drug discovery.  Responsibilities of the position include:

Whole-cell brain slice electrophysiological recordings Optogenetic, pharmacogenetic, neuroanatomical approaches for manipulation of neuronal activity In vivo recording of brain activity using electrophysiology, fiber photometry and/or microendoscopy Design, execute, and analyze experiments to investigate the function of specific cell types Work with others to develop a pipeline for large-scale, systematic characterization of the physiological and connectional properties of different neuronal cell types Work with others to develop paradigms to correlate physiological, morphological and molecular properties within a single neuron Seek and evaluate new cutting-edge technologies in related areas Publish/present findings in peer-reviewed journals/scientific conferences Present progress reports to fellow researchers in the laboratory and larger organization

There is a career path from Postdoctoral Fellow to Research Scientist at SRI. Appointment at either level confers eligibility for Principal Investigator privileges.

Qualifications

Ph.D. or M.D. in a life science or related discipline with minimum 0-3 years post-PhD experience Working experience in neurobiology research Experience in brain slice electrophysiology and synaptic physiology and/or Experience with use of viral vectors, stereotaxic surgery and optogenetics/chemogenetics/fiber photometry/ microendoscopy/neuroanatomy Strong data analysis skills and publication record Ability to meet aggressive timelines and deliverables Strong commitment to collaborative teamwork Excellent problem solving and experiment managing skills Strong written and verbal communication skills Experience in molecular biology and/or virology a plus Strong computer programming a plus

SRI is committed to creating and celebrating a diverse workplace that recognizes and values differences and reflects the communities where our employees live and where our clients operate. This includes valuing differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, body type/physical appearance, disability/differently abled and work styles, or any other legally protected category.