Postdoctoral Fellow - NINDS
Posted December 2019
Position Description: Dr. Joshua Gordon, Director of the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, is seeking a talented, dedicated and enthusiastic postdoctoral fellow interested in working with marmosets to join his laboratory, the Integrative Neuroscience Section (INS) at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Under the assisted direction of staff scientist Dr. David Kupferschmidt, the INS focus on examining the neural circuit basis of cognition and its dysfunction in animal models of genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. The selected applicant would develop behavioral assays to assess cognitive function in wildtype marmosets and marmoset models of predisposition to psychiatric disorders. They would also establish in vivo electrophysiological recordings from these animals during behavior, with a focus on understanding neural communication within and between brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus that sub-serves normal and disordered cognition.
Dr. Joshua Gordon / Dr. David Kupferschmidt
Training Environment: The INS is part of a broader interdisciplinary team of world-class scientists within NINDS, and a neuroscience community spanning several institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that conduct active basic, translational, and clinical research. NIH is also home to a vibrant group of researchers studying physiology and behavior of non-human primates, including marmosets; the fellow would collaborate with this group in the development and implementation of their postdoctoral research. Postdoctoral fellows at the NIH also have access to comprehensive career, professional, and personal development courses and activities provided through the nationally recognized NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education.
Qualifications: Applicants must have a Ph.D. in a neuroscience-related discipline, and less than five years of relevant postdoctoral research experience at the official start date of the INS position. Prior experience conducting research with marmosets is required. Applicants with additional training in in vivo electrophysiology, circuit manipulation technologies, and/or automated behavioral analysis are particularly encouraged to apply. Strong interpersonal, communication, and critical thinking skills, as well as a dedication to teamwork and collaboration, are qualities sought in any new addition to the INS. Stipend value of the fellowship will be commensurate with the candidate’s training and experience, according to NIH guidelines.
To Apply: Application review will be ongoing until the position is filled. For consideration, interested candidates must e-mail their CV and a statement of research interests to Dr. David Kupferschmidt (david.kupferschmidt@nih.gov) with “INS Postdoc Applicant” in the email subject header. Reference letters will be requested upon follow-up.