Post-Doctoral Associate - Department of Neuroscience

About the Job

The Integrated Circuit Neuroscience (ICN) labs, led by Drs. Madhu Kannan and Ganesh Vasan, are seeking two postdoctoral associates to participate in ongoing interdisciplinary projects. The incoming candidate in the Vasan lab will focus on engineering ultra-sensitive genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) for single‑neuron, single‑spike resolution recordings in behaving animals. The incoming candidate in the Kannan lab will apply advanced optical tools and multipopulation voltage imaging to study genetically defined neuron types involved in perceptual function and dysfunction in behaving rodents.

Our new GEVIs and imaging approaches (see Kannan, Vasan et al., Nature Methods, 2018; Science, 2022) enable real‑time, high‑resolution interrogation of neural circuits across model systems and have been adapted by a wide network of collaborators in the field. The ICN labs are part of the Department of Neuroscience and the Medical Discovery Team on Optical Imaging and Brain Science, based at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR)-a hub for cutting‑edge MR and optical imaging technology.

Job Description: The candidate will be trained in techniques spanning protein engineering and synthetic biology, cellular resolution voltage or calcium imaging in rodents during attention/virtual navigation paradigms, targeted gene perturbation, or single‑cell transcriptomic assays. They will participate in project conception, data acquisition, analyses, and dissemination of the work. They will have multiple opportunities to train graduate and undergraduate students, collaborate with other labs testing our GEVIs, and compete for early‑career fellowships.

Consideration will also be given to exceptional international applicants with a proven track record.

• Ph.D. degree in the pagt sciences or engineering with a strong background in molecular, cellular, or systems neuroscience. Preference will be given to recent graduates or postdocs with < 2 years of experience.
• Experience with live cell/live animal fluorescence imaging, and/or slice electrophysiology, or expertise in molecular biology/protein biochemistry.
• Prior experience with stereotactic rodent surgeries, including intracranial viral vector infusions and optical window implantations, and/or animal behavior is highly desired.
• An excellent track record, as evidenced by first‑author publications and conference presentations.
• Knowledge of programming languages, such as MATLAB or Python, and statistical software, such as Prism.

The Department of Neuroscience is committed to providing excellence in research, education, and public service. The Department of Neuroscience is part of the University of Minnesota's Medical School. The Medical School and related healthcare professional schools are grouped under the Academic Health Center.

Enhance the understanding and appreciation of neuroscience by the people of Minnesota.

Pay Range: $62,232 to $70,344 per year (NIH Stipend Levels); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

• 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…