Postdoctoral Scholar - Department of Comparative Pathobiology

Tufts University•Grafton, MA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Comparative Pathobiology supports the missions of Tufts University and Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University through a culture of approachability that fosters professional growth and collaboration. We do this while providing foundational veterinary medical education, graduate training, diagnostic pathology expertise, and opportunities across our diverse research programs. This position will serve under the Vassoler lab. Additional details about the lab can be found here: https://sites.tufts.edu/vassolerlab/ This is a limited-term and grant-funded position through August 24, 2029. It may be extended depending on grant funding.

Requirements

A PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in neuroscience, pharmacology, biology, or a related field is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience with rodent behavioral models, molecular biology, neuroscience, or bioinformatics is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist in research to uncover Transgenerational Mechanisms of Opioid Addiction.
Investigate the molecular mechanisms by which paternal opioid exposure alters addiction-related behaviors in subsequent generations.
Investigate opioid self-administration and related behavioral phenotypes in F1 and F2 offspring.
Examine mu opioid receptor expression in brain regions including the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area.
Manipulate let-7 levels in sperm to directly test its role in transmission of the phenotype.
Characterize opioid-induced changes in the sperm miRNA profile using small RNA sequencing.
Investigate spatially restricted changes in gene expression within the testis using GeoMX digital spatial profiling.
Examine sperm miRNA expression in men with and without a history of drug exposure.
Develop expertise in behavioral neuroscience, animal models of substance use disorder, molecular biology, epigenetics, small RNA sequencing, and spatial transcriptomic approaches.
Data analysis, preparation of manuscripts and presentations.
Mentoring of trainees.
Development of independent research questions and strategies.