Postdoctoral Fellow in Neurobiology; Ponce Lab

Postdoctoral Fellow in Neurobiology (Ponce Lab)

Postdoctoral Fellow in Visual Neurophysiology and Deep Modeling at Harvard Medical School Research in The Ponce Lab explores how populations of neurons in the primate visual cortex represent and transform visual information. We use large-scale electrophysiology and closed-loop visual experiments with macaque monkeys to discover the principles underlying cortical computation. Candidates should be deeply excited about working with nonhuman primates and connecting results to computational models of the brain.

• Design and execute experiments in visual cortex, involving neural recordings, behavioral training, and visual stimulation.
• Analyze neuronal population data and build generative or predictive computational models to simulate cortical responses.
• Study the effects of psychoactive compounds such MDMA and methamphetamine on visual processing and expand into high-resolution behavioral tracking linking neural activity with naturalistic behavior.

Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, computational neuroscience, physics, psychology, or a related field. • Strong experimental engagement and collaborative mindset within a multidisciplinary team. • High-level team-oriented approach, energy and curiosity.

• Strong confidence with and/or facility to learn Matlab or Python-level programming
• Strong interest and experience in systems neuroscience, electrophysiology, or primate behavior
• Familiarity with computational models of vision (e.g., CNNs, deep generative models) is preferred but not required
• Excellent communication skills and enthusiasm for collaborative work

Required documents:

• CV
• Research summary of PhD work
• Cover letter describing your interest in the lab and initial ideas for new research directions or projects you could undertake in the lab
• Names and contact information for three people who have agreed to serve as a reference

Please submit application documents through the ARIeS portal. Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Selected candidates will be invited for in-person interviews involving a research presentation on past work. References will be requested at the final stage of the consideration process.

• Start date:
  
  The position is expected to start on or around Spring/Summer 2026 with some flexibility.
• Duration:
  One-year term with possibility of extension, contingent on work performance, business need, and continued funding.

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