Postdoctoral associate

A postdoctoral scientist position is currently open in the Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The postdoctoral scientist will participate in research projects studying synaptic, neuronal and local circuit function in the prefrontal cortex. Our studies use patch-clamp electrophysiology in acute slices, combined with fluorescent protein expression to target specific neurons for recording, Laser Scanning Photo Stimulation for uncaging of caged compounds and/or optogenetics and Morphological reconstruction of the neurons filled with biocytin during recordings. Most recently, the Gonzalez-Burgos lab started using patch-seq, a novel methodology which allows performing RNAseq analysis of the recorded neurons, to perform multimodal studies of the physiology, morphology and transcriptome of single neurons.

Our studies are funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and are performed in collaboration by the laboratories of Drs Guillermo Gonzalez Burgos and David Lewis in the Translational Neuroscience Program. Funding from the NSF is part of an international multi-laboratory collaboration project by research groups from Canada, Germany and the US, dedicated to the study of working memory-related cellular mechanisms in the primate cortex (https://neuronex.org/projects/21). Funding from the NIMH is for projects studying aspects of synaptic and neuronal physiology in the prefrontal cortex which are relevant for understanding cortical circuit dysfunction in schizophrenia. A current NIMH-funded project studies the consequences on synaptic function of genetic silencing in vivo, with viral vectors that drive the expression of the inward rectified potassium channel Kir2.1, to downregulate the activity of pyramidal neurons, and mimic their hypoactivity in schizophrenia. Other projects in which the postdoctoral scientist may also participate are studies comparing the physiology and connectivity of parvalbumin-positive in association and sensory areas of the mouse neocortex, such as the prefrontal and primary visual cortices.

Previous experience with electrophysiology in acute slices, and a PhD or MD degree are required to apply for this position. Experience with coding in Python and/or Matlab is a plus. The salary for this position will be in accordance with NIH/NSF scales. Those interested in additional information about this role, please contact Guillermo Gonzalez Burgos (gburgos@pitt.edu), sending a CV, and names of at least two references.