Postdoctoral Research Associate - Neural Circuits and Movement - Bikoff lab

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital • Memphis, TN

96d • Onsite

About The Position

A postdoctoral research associate position is available with Dr. Bikoff in the Bikoff lab, within the Department of Developmental Neurobiology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The lab studies the organization and function of neural circuits that control movement, particularly spinal cord circuits that directly control motor output. Research broadly addresses nervous-system cell-type diversity, circuit architecture, and the functional roles of circuits in motor control.

This position focuses on the synaptic and circuit organization of genetically defined spinal interneuron populations that are important for movement. Research approaches include mouse genetics, viral tracing strategies, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, and imaging methodologies.

The lab offers a collaborative and supportive environment, with opportunities to independently develop research projects and take them in new directions. It provides individual mentoring, training, and ongoing support for career development. St. Jude also offers postdoctoral trainees access to shared research resources and facilities, career-development programs, grant-writing workshops, individual development plans, teaching and mentoring opportunities, non-research career programs, and a professional development allowance. The stated starting salary is $72,500 per year, with comprehensive benefits and relocation assistance.

Requirements

• PhD or MD/PhD in neuroscience or a related discipline.
• Strong experimental training and ability to independently design and execute experiments and interpret data.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary, highly collaborative environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience studying neural circuits, including familiarity with mouse genetics and viral tools.
• Familiarity with programming languages such as R or Python and ability to work with large datasets.
• Familiarity with single-cell genomic and/or spatial transcriptomic approaches for molecular profiling.

Responsibilities

• Study motor circuitry in mice, focusing on spinal cord neurons and how their circuits shape motor output.
• Investigate the synaptic and circuit organization of genetically defined populations of spinal interneurons important for movement.
• Design and execute experiments independently and interpret research data.
• Use approaches such as mouse genetics, viral tracing, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, and imaging methodologies.
• Work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Benefits

• Access to shared resources and facilities led by expert scientists, with cutting-edge technology.
• Professional and career growth programs, including grant-writing workshops, individual development plans, teaching and mentoring opportunities, non-research career advancement programs, and a professional development allowance.
• Competitive starting salary of $72,500 per year.
• Comprehensive benefits.
• Relocation assistance.
• A supportive postdoctoral community.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree