Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Neurobiology & Anatomy

UTHealth Houston • Houston, TX

3d

About The Position

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will work in Dr. Sun’s lab investigating neural circuit mechanisms underlying learning, memory, and spatial navigation. The laboratory studies how neural circuits support adaptive and maladaptive spatial learning and navigation. The fellow will lead research projects that integrate in vivo neural recording, behavioral experimentation, and computational analysis to understand how neural activity gives rise to learning and behavior.

The fellow will design and conduct independent and collaborative experiments; develop behavioral environments, experimental paradigms, and research tools; acquire, analyze, and interpret complex neural and behavioral datasets; and develop or implement computational workflows. Research approaches may include in vivo calcium imaging or electrophysiology, quantitative behavioral assays, viral-genetic circuit mapping, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence and confocal microscopy, and molecular or transcriptomic methods. The fellow will communicate findings through presentations and manuscripts, collaborate with multidisciplinary investigators, contribute to mentoring and training, and support laboratory operations and compliance with applicable policies.

This biomedical postdoctoral position provides an opportunity for an early-career researcher to develop independent research skills and contribute to scientific knowledge. Employees must permanently reside and work in Texas. The position is security-sensitive.

Requirements

• Doctoral or terminal degree.
• Strong background in systems and behavioral neuroscience.
• Experience with neural recording or imaging in freely behaving or head-fixed animals.
• Experience with quantitative behavioral experiments.
• Experience with computational analysis of neural and behavioral data.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills to collaborate and communicate effectively with individuals at all levels.
• Must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.
• Ability to meet applicable security-sensitive position requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in neurobiology, electrophysiology, in vivo calcium imaging, or mouse models.
• Previous experience with animal handling and husbandry.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct independent and collaborative research projects in consultation with the Principal Investigator, including experimental planning, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and troubleshooting.
• Perform systems and behavioral neuroscience experiments, including neural recording or imaging, quantitative behavioral assays, and computational analysis of neural and behavioral data.
• Design, build, and validate behavioral environments, experimental paradigms, and research tools for studies of spatial learning, navigation, and memory.
• Analyze and interpret complex datasets, including neural population activity and its relationship to behavior, and develop or implement computational workflows for processing, visualization, and statistical analysis.
• Use complementary methods as appropriate, potentially including viral-genetic circuit mapping, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence and confocal microscopy, and molecular or transcriptomic methods.
• Maintain accurate and reproducible records of experimental procedures, data, analyses, and results, and contribute to laboratory data-management practices.
• Communicate research findings through laboratory meetings, scientific presentations, manuscripts, and other scholarly activities.
• Collaborate with laboratory members and multidisciplinary research teams and contribute to the development of ongoing and future research projects.
• Stay current with advances in relevant neuroscience fields, neural recording technologies, and computational methods.
• Contribute to mentoring and training students or junior research personnel as appropriate.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and work areas and assist with research supplies and laboratory operations as needed.
• Comply with applicable University, governmental, animal research, laboratory safety, and research-integrity policies and regulations.
• Read and evaluate scientific literature.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 100% paid medical premiums for full-time employees.
• Generous time off, including holidays, a preventative leave day, vacation, and sick time (approximately 37–38 days per year).
• Vacation accrual increases with tenure.
• Retirement/pension plan.
• Free financial and legal counseling.
• Free mental health counseling services.
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs.
• Employee discounts, including entertainment, car rentals, and cell phones.
• Resources for child and elder care.

What This Job Offers

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