Postdoctoral Scientist - Gulati Lab - Center for Neural Science & Medicine

Cedars-Sinai • West Hollywood, CA

49d • $62,400 - $93,600 • Onsite

About The Position

The Gulati Laboratory is seeking a Postdoctoral Scientist to join their systems neuroscience team. This role focuses on understanding the motor basis of behavior using cortical and spinal electrophysiology to study motor control, learning, and sleep-related consolidation of motor skills. The lab also investigates neuroengineering strategies for repair and functional recovery after brain and spinal cord injury, including the development of spinal/cortical motor prostheses, brain-machine interfaces, and neurorobotics. The successful candidate will work under the mentorship of Dr. Tanuj Gulati in the Center for Neural Science and Medicine (CNSM) and collaborate with other researchers. The primary goal is to develop a mechanistic understanding of stroke recovery and create rehabilitation therapies in preclinical rodent stroke models. This involves performing rodent procedures such as surgeries, viral injections, and neural implant procedures for recording and stimulating neural activity. The postdoctoral scholar will also develop new rodent stroke models and implement simultaneous neurophysiological recordings. Data analysis, interpretation, and potential contributions to grant proposals, publications, and presentations are also key aspects of this role.

Requirements

• Doctorate (MD, PhD, VMD, or DDS) in area directly related to field of research specialization.
• Acquires thorough technical and theoretical knowledge of research project and objectives during one to five (1-5) year post-doctoral appointment.
• Works independently on research projects designed by a mentor (typically the PI) within area of specialization.
• Previous experience with rodent surgeries and animal intracranial electrophysiology is required.
• Proven ability to conduct rodent procedures as evidenced by first author publications is required.
• Demonstrated aptitude to perform experimental protocols and procedures, including detailed data collection, analysis, operation, and maintenance of specialized equipment.
• Function efficiently and cooperatively with a team of faculty, research associates, technicians, and students.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential.
• Knowledge of safety standards and maintenance of specialized equipment.

Responsibilities

• Designs and performs experiments, keeping appropriate experimental records and documentation, and analyzing results with the Principal Investigator.
• Analyzes, interprets, summarizes, and compiles data.
• Performs routine and complex laboratory procedures.
• Operates and maintains equipment and instruments.
• May observe MD-patient or MD-human research subject interactions as it pertains directly to research being performed.
• Performs rodent stroke surgeries and neural implant procedures for recording and stimulation of neural activity.
• Performs neural implant (recording/stimulation) surgical procedures and optogenetic viral injections.
• Performs rodent stroke procedures (photothrombotic, endothelin and middle cerebral artery occlusion), conducts neurophysiology recordings in rodents during motor training and spontaneous periods.
• May write/modify IACUC application in collaboration with the PI.
• Interacts respectfully and efficiently with other lab members, department colleagues, and husbandry and clinical staff of Comparative Medicine.
• May assist in the preparation of grant proposals, but is not responsible for generating grant funds.
• May participate in publications and presentations as author or co-author.

What This Job Offers

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