Postdoc Position: Neural Circuitry in Addiction and Alzheimer's Disease
- Employer
- Texas A&M Health Science Center
- Location
- Bryan, Texas
- Salary
- $50,000 per year + benefits, with adjustments based on experience.
- Closing date
- Dec 23, 2023
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- Sector
- Graduate School or University, Medical, Veterinary or Dental School, Non-profit Institution / Non-governmental Org.
- Job Function
- Postdoctoral Researcher
- Research Area
- Integrative Physiology & Behavior
- Position Type
- Full Time
- Level
- Any Experience Level Considered
Job Details
- Join our NIH-funded team to investigate synaptic and circuit mechanisms underlying substance use disorders (alcohol, cocaine, fentanyl) and Alzheimer's disease. Utilizing multidisciplinary technologies, our research advances knowledge on the role of striatal neurons and circuits in addiction and Alzheimer's. Key techniques include: 1) dual-channel optogenetic and chemogenetic (DREADD) manipulation (explore our recent work: https://rdcu.be/do5Ej, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.05.016; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112089; https://rdcu.be/do5F7), 2) confocal imaging and fiber photometry: Use genetically encoded biosensors (GCamp for Ca2+, dopamine, and acetylcholine), 3) Brain-wide neuronal mapping: employ rabies-mediated retrograde tracing and FosTRAP approaches. 4) Operant conditioning behavioral assay. 5) Slice electrophysiology. We investigate how medium spiny neurons (MSNs, SPNs) and cholinergic interneurons (CINs) in the dorsomedial striatum of the basal ganglia circuitry and their related neural circuits contribute to alcohol, cocaine, and opioid abuses, as well as cholinergic dysfunction and cognitive flexibility deficit in Alzheimer's disease. For details, please visit https://medicine.tamu.edu/faculty-listings/wang.html.
- The laboratory is equipped with Zeiss microscope/imaging systems, MultiClamp 700B amplifiers/data acquisition systems, Sutter puller and motorized manipulators, Leica Vibratome, Optogenetic light sources, KOPF stereotaxic infusion system, Operant self-administration chambers for rats and mice, Open field chambers, fiber photometry systems, many optogenetic light sources, and PCR machine and workstation. Several common facilities are available within the new building that contains electrophysiological, molecular, and behavioral labs.
- Candidate Expectations: Behavioral candidates are expected to have trackable records on operant self-administration and stereotaxic viral/drug infusion in rats or mice. Experience with chemogenetics, optogenetic stimulation, fiber photometry measurement, immunohistochemistry, or confocal imaging is a big plus. Electrophysiology candidates are expected to have proven proficiency in slice electrophysiology and neural circuit studies. The ability to measure glutamatergic transmission and plasticity in acute slices using whole-cell patch-clamp recording is desired. Histology candidates are expected to have strong experience in studying neural circuits using anterograde and retrograde tracers or viruses, as well as confocal imaging approaches. Experience with the use of Imaris or computational neuroscience is a big plus.
- The successful applicants are expected to have a recent Ph.D. degree in neuroscience, a record of scientific productivity, strong communication skills and writing ability, and a desire to work independently and cooperatively with a team. Candidates holding a master's degree with exceptional expertise in the area above are also welcome to apply.
- Interested candidates should send Curriculum Vitae and names of three references to Dr. Jun Wang (jwang188@tamu.edu).
Company
The Texas A&M Health Science Center is the only health science center in the Texas A&M University system that contains 11 universities. The Bryan-College Station campus of the Health Science Center are located in beautiful towns that are in a short drive to three major Texas cites -- Houston (1.5 hrs), Austin (2 hrs) and Dallas (< 3 hrs). This vicinity provides not only an easy access to big-city life, but also less traffic and cheaper housing. Within this campus, there is a large group of neuroscience laboratories, some of which study drug abuse. The department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics is located in a new building of the Bryan campus, which provides a really nice working environment. The postdoc position is a full-time position with benefits. The benefits available to all staff members are outlined here: http://www.tamus.edu/assets/files/benefits/pdf/GuideBooklet.pdf.
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