Postdoctoral Fellow: Prenatal Alcohol and/or Opiate, development, neuroadaptations, anxiety

A postdoctoral fellowship is available immediately in the laboratory of Dr. Marvin Diaz in the Department of Psychology at Binghamton University in Binghamton, NY. Dr. Diaz’s lab studies long-term neuroadaptations resulting from exposures to psychoactive substances, particularly alcohol and opiates, during the prenatal period as causal factors for future psychopathology. To probe these questions, the Diaz lab utilizes a combination of electrophysiological and behavioral techniques coupled with optogenetics and chemogenetics, in addition to a variety of molecular biological techniques, including immunofluorescence and RNA Scope in situ hybridization.

We are looking for an outstanding, highly-motivated candidate with a Ph.D in neuroscience, psychology, or a related discipline who is interested in investigating the impact of prenatal alcohol and/or opiate exposure on dysfunction of affective/anxiety neural circuitry. Projects include 1) examining the consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure on corticotropin-release factor (CRF) regulation of central amygdala synaptic function across ontogeny as it relates to alterations in anxiety-like behaviors, and 2) determining the effects of prenatal polysubstance exposure, specifically alcohol and methadone, on affective behaviors and dopamine regulation of synaptic plasticity within the basolateral amygdala. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in slice electrophysiology and/or optogenetics, although having prior electrophysiology experience is not a requirement as this will be an integral part of the research training. Strong writing, analytical, and statistical skills are needed for grant-related publications. Candidates must be a legal U.S. resident or U.S. citizen.

The successful candidate will join a highly interactive and vibrant neuroscience community within the Psychology Department, the NIAAA-funded P50 Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center (DEARC), the T32 Developmental and Neuroadaptations in Alcohol and Addiction (DNA2) Training Grant, and the Brain and Body Imaging Research Center (BBIRC) at Binghamton University. A major component of the training will include manuscript and grant writing.

Please submit a CV, personal statement including research/career goals, and contact for 3 references to Dr. Marvin Diaz, Ph.D (mdiaz@binghamton.edu).

See website for additional information: https://rfbu.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=161715

Binghamton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer for females, minorities, disabled, and veterans.