Postdoctoral Associate; Buczynski Lab

Job Description

The Gregus/Buczynski Lab is seeking a motivated postdoctoral fellow to join an extramurally funded, highly collaborative research program focused on developing new, mechanistically driven treatments for chronic pain and alcohol use disorder – two major unmet clinical needs.

• Strong funding & project ownership:
  Work on funded projects with room to develop independent ideas and lead publications.
• Career focused mentorship:
  Structured mentorship tailored to your goals (academic faculty, industry scientist, or hybrid paths).
• Translational science with real‑world impact:
  Research directly relevant to therapeutic development.
• Outstanding collaborative network:
  Active collaborations with Scripps Research, Mayo Clinic, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at Dallas, industry partners, and multiple Virginia Tech departments.

• Design, execute, and analyze in vivo and in vitro experiments.
• Interpret data and present findings in lab meetings, conferences, and publications.
• Collaborate at the interface of academia and industry.
• Contribute to grant proposals and co‑author manuscripts.
• Mentor junior trainees as desired, building leadership experience.

Our lab is team oriented, supportive, collegial, and inclusive. Strong science comes from people who feel respected, supported, and excited about their work. We offer regular availability for individual meetings, collaborative troubleshooting, and transparent expectations. Training plans are customized to your career goals and evolve as you grow.

• Ph.D. in neuroscience, pharmacology, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and/or rodent behavioral models.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage experiments independently.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Research background in pain, addiction, or related neuropsychiatric disorders.
• Experience with mass spectrometry or bioanalytical techniques.
• Experience with mouse surgical procedures or in vivo pharmacology.
• Prior experience contributing to manuscripts, abstracts, or conference presentations.
• Experience in all techniques used in the lab is not required as we value strong scientific thinking, work ethic, and enthusiasm for learning as much as prior technical expertise.

Exempt:
Not eligible for overtime.
Restricted appointment type.
Salary:
Commensurate with experience.
Hours per week: 40 hours – exempt position.
Review Date: 3/31/2026.
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

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