Post-Doctoral Research Associate

Post-Doctoral Research Associate Position Available: Neuroengineering brain circuits for complex traits

Are you an eager, out-of-the-box thinker, with skills that you want to put towards answering questions on the neurobiological mechanisms of complex traits? The Jarvis lab at The Rockefeller University is seeking two postdocs to work in the Neurogenetics of Language Lab (NLL) to conduct research on a new project funded by the Keck Foundation which focuses on neuroengineering brain circuits for complex traits. Our overall mission is to understand the genetic, molecular, and circuit underpinnings of human spoken language, as modeled in several species including songbirds and mice. We seek talented individuals with expertise in either: 1) viral transgenesis or 2) in vivo electrophysiology, who will work as part of a team of scientists to test the impact of various transgenic approaches aimed at neuroengineering vocal-learning phenotypes in mice. The goal of this project is to test how specialized genes in human speech brain circuits shape the neurocircuitry of vocalizations, which may provide a powerful platform for generating therapies for speech-language and other disorders.

As a Post-Doctoral Research Associate, you will be responsible for performing a variety of complex technical duties in support of the NLL neuroengineering project. The applicant will report to the Principal Investigator of the NLL. 

For the Virology Position you will be expected to be able to:

• Engineer various viral constructs for up- and down-regulating genes of interest
• Optimize stereotactic injections of virus (e.g. AVV or lentivirus) into specific brain regions and cell types
• Perform in situ hybridization and qPRC techniques to detect changes in genes of interest
• Perform immunohistochemistry procedures to label neurons of interest, and Sholl analysis to measure connectivity
• Perform neural tracing and behavior analyses on the genetically manipulated animals

For the Electrophysiology Position you will be expected to be able to:

• Perform in-vivo electrophysiology and optogenetic manipulations in the brains of control and genetically manipulated, awake-behaving mice, using multisite probes to record from neurons of interest
• Perform brain microstimulation procedures and simultaneous EMG recordings from muscles
• Perform behavioral recordings and analyses of vocal and other behaviors

You have: 

• A Doctorate degree in neuroscience, biology, or other life science related field
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant laboratory experience and an interest in the neurobiology of complex traits
• Excellent lab and time management skills, and strong verbal and written communication as well as interpersonal skills
• Successful multitasking and prioritizing abilities, strong attention to detail, scientific integrity, and ability to work under pressure
• Experience with assessments of animal behavior would be favorable
• Evidence of being able to publish your discoveries in respectable scientific journals