Postdoctoral Researcher

The Siciliano Lab at Vanderbilt University is seeking a postdoctoral fellow with strong independent-thinking skills and ability to drive projects. This position will investigate the intersection of addiction and sensory neurosciences, focused on the interplay between oral chemesthesis and consumption of noxious chemicals such as ethanol. A range of advanced techniques will be used to address these questions, including deep-brain and through-brain multiphoton endoscopic imaging, plasma-mediated nanosurgery, and rodent psychometrics.

     Oral chemesthesis, the sensation associated with chemical activation of nerve fibers in the mouth, contributes to a broad range of behaviors such as preference for spicy foods, attraction to alcoholic beverages, and avoidance of chemically contaminated food sources. Despite its behavioral importance, very little is known about the brain mechanisms that give rise to oral chemesthesis. This postdoctoral position will provide the opportunity to explore a range of research questions and develop a project within this area. The position will include training in a number of approaches that we have developed in the lab, including in vivo calcium imaging of trigeminal ganglion during awake behavior using through-brain imaging. The project applies advanced neuroscience techniques to observe long-term neuronal activity coupled with precise manipulation of neural circuits in vivo while monitoring behavior and decision-making in the animal. Because this is a relatively new field, this offers a great opportunity for postdocs to step into a unique, niche area with many different directions to take the project. 

Duties and Responsibility:
- Perform and direct experiments 
- Provide expertise and mentorship to other trainees
- Analyze experimental results using computer-aided data analysis software 
- Maintain accurate databases and experimental notebooks of results
- Strong organizational, oral, and written communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of lab members are necessary

Qualifications:
- A PhD in neuroscience, biology, chemistry or a related field of study

Preferred Skills/Experience:
- Experience with programming and image analysis is preferred
- Experience with in vivo microscopy is preferred
- Expertise in quantitative behavioral analysis is required

*If you do not have previous programming experience or imaging experience, you will receive training in these areas.