Post-Doctoral Associate - Noel Lab, Department of Neuroscience

About the Job

The Noel Lab in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota is seeking highly motivated Postdoctoral Associates. Funded by the Simons Foundation, these positions offer an exciting opportunity to conduct cutting‑edge research at the intersection of systems neuroscience and computational modeling.

The lab focuses on Bayesian inference, perception, multisensory integration, spatial navigation, sensorimotor loops, embodied cognition, and computational psychiatry using rodent and human models, with primary focus on rodent research.

Successful candidates will lead projects involving:

• Large‑scale neurophysiology (e.g., Neuropixels recordings) in awake, behaving rodents.
• Computational modeling and advanced data analysis.
• At least one role embedded within the Simons Collaboration on Ecological Neuroscience (SCENE).

You will engage with a global team:

• Jan Zimmermann (University of Minnesota)
• Mate Lengyel (Cambridge)
• Daniel Wolpert (Columbia)
• Cris Neill (University of Oregon)
• Andreas Tolias (Stanford)
• Alexander & Mackenzie Mathis (EPFL)
• Constantin Rothkopf (TU Darmstadt)
• Nanthia Suthana (Duke)

Research (95% effort)

• Design and conduct innovative experiments (e.g., neurophysiology data collection).
• Build and maintain behavioral and neurophysiology rigs (head‑fixed and freely‑moving paradigms, including video‑tracking).
• Perform rodent surgeries.
• Analyze data and contribute to computational models.
• Draft high‑quality figures, manuscripts, and grant materials.
• Present findings at scientific meetings.

Mentoring and Instruction (5% effort)

• Mentor students and foster a collaborative lab culture.
• Maintain proper documentation and keep SOPs up to date.

• Start Date:
  
  July 1, 2025 (negotiable)

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, or related field.
• Strong publication record.
• Interest in perception and decision‑making in real‑world contexts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python.
• Hands‑on experience with rodent behavior and surgeries.
• Expertise in large‑scale neurophysiology and histology.
• Skilled in single‑cell/population data analysis (e.g., GLMs, decoding).

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in machine learning or computational modeling (Bayesian methods, neural networks).
• Experience with marker‑less video tracking and computer vision.
• Experience with CAD design and 3D printing.
• Familiarity with relational databases (e.g., SQL).
• Demonstrated success in collaborative research environments.

Pay Range: $61,008 – $71,532 annually, depending on education/qualifications/experience.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off.
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training.
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans.
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• University HSA contributions.
• Disability and life insurance.
• Employee wellbeing program.
• Financial counseling services.
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost.

The University of Minnesota provides equal opportunity and is committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment is not based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon a background check and verification of eligibility to work. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify candidates.