Job ID: 78494

Role of astrocyte neuron interactions in motor control and cognitive behaviors during health and disease

Position: Post-doctoral Position

Deadline: 31 December 2022

Employment Start Date: 15 March 2022

City: Piscataway

Country: United States

Institution: Rutgers University

Department:

Description:

The Huda lab is seeking a postdoctoral candidate interested in using cutting-edge in-vivo imaging techniques to investigate the role of astrocyte-neuron interactions in motor control and cognitive behaviors during health and disease. We are a vibrant new lab in the WM Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience and the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience at Rutgers University. We take a systems neuroscience approach to study bidirectional interactions between astrocyte signaling and neuronal processing in the context of movement, learning, and decision making. Our currently funded work explores how dopamine loss in Parkinson’s Disease dysregulates in-vivo striatum neuronal activity by affecting astrocyte calcium signaling. Our work combines a portfolio of diverse techniques including multicolor two-photon microscopy, holographic single-cell optogenetic stimulation, quantitative mouse behavior, chemogenetics, and electrophysiology.

In this position you will enjoy support from a PI distinctly committed to your technical and conceptual training, mentorship, and career development. It is an excellent opportunity for neuroscientists looking to advance their training in next-generation in-vivo approaches for assessing circuit function as it relates to behavior and disease.

Applicants should have a PhD or be nearing completion of their doctorate in neuroscience or a related field. Ability to work both independently and in teams consisting of undergraduate and graduate students is expected, along with good written and oral communication skills. Previous experience with one or more of the following is highly desirable: mouse stereotaxic surgery, mouse behavior, two-photon microscopy and/or electrophysiology, and coding in MATLAB or Python. We are foremost looking for passionate scientists eager to learn new things.

To apply, please email a CV, list of three references, and an interest letter detailing your previous research experience and future goals to rafiq.huda@rutgers.edu.