Postdoctoral Fellow in Neurobiology; Bean Lab

Postdoctoral Fellow in Neurobiology (Bean Lab)

We invite applicants for a postdoctoral fellow position in the Bean lab at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. The work of the Bean lab is focused on drug discovery in the area of developing ion channel pharmacology for treating pain, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders. We welcome applications from candidates holding a PhD in Neuroscience or Pharmacology who are interested in these or related fields, particularly those who may have experience in drug discovery using patch clamp electrophysiology or who can bring a new technology or perspective to bear on the work in the lab.

The work is based on electrophysiological recordings using the patch clamp technique to characterize function of ion channels and interactions of novel compounds with ion channels in both heterologous expression systems and in native neurons.

Responsibilities:

• Work with Dr. Bean and a team of postdoctoral researchers to conduct early‑stage drug discovery to find novel compounds to treat pain, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis by modulating the function of particular ion channels.
• Perform electrophysiological studies of ion channels using patch clamp recordings of cloned ion channels in heterologous expression systems and of native ion channels in isolated neurons.
• Generate new cell lines with heterologous expression of ion channels.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists to use structure‑activity data to design new compounds.
• Apply for fellowship funding and contribute to writing of grants and manuscripts.
• Participate in teaching and mentoring of lab members as needed and contribute to overall lab operations and collaborative environment.

• Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in Neuroscience or Pharmacology, with expertise in cellular neurophysiology or related fields.
• Experience in patch clamp–based electrophysiological recording from native neurons.
• Experience in drug screening and drug discovery using patch clamp electrophysiology.
• Experience with generating heterologous cell lines for electrophysiological drug screening.
• Expertise with mammalian cell culture and aseptic technique.

If visa sponsorship is needed, Harvard retains the discretion to determine which visa status is appropriate and whether a visa sponsorship application will ultimately be submitted, including payment of any applicable fees.

• 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, and a note with the names and contact information for two people who have agreed to serve as a reference.
• Submit application documents through the ARIeS portal. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Selected candidates will be invited for in‑person interviews involving a research presentation on past work.

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

This position is salaried and benefits‑eligible. Information regarding postdoctoral fellow salary, which is determined by the number of years post PhD, and benefits can be found at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./guidelines
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With this appointment, you are represented by the Harvard Academic Workers – UAW for purposes of collective bargaining and matters affecting your compensation and working conditions.

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non‑discrimination policy. All community members may participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.