Postdoctoral Researcher - Circuit Model Systems of Anhedonia; CMA)

Postdoctoral Researcher - Circuit Based Model Systems of Anhedonia (CMA)

33 days left to apply!

Bio Med X is a leading innovation hub for pharma. With our global network of research institutes at top universities and incubators within pharmaceutical companies, we bridge the gap between academia and industry.

We are pioneers in applying the principles of design thinking and crowd sourcing to drug discovery and development. With our unique model, we identify key challenges across all therapeutic areas, recruit top academic talent, and co-create tailored solutions with our pharma partners.

In our stimulating ecosystem, early-career researchers grow into future scientific leaders. They perform exploratory research, deliver industry-grade results, and pave the way to next-generation therapies. At Bio Med X, we value curiosity, diversity, and purpose. Our goal is to serve as a vital catalyst for innovation in global health for the benefit of all patients.

Bio Med X is searching for one postdoctoral researcher to join a team of one group leader, Dr. Kevin Keary, one post-doc, and two research associates to investigate the mechanisms and circuitry underlying anhedonia.

The focus of team CMA is anhedonia, the diminished ability to experience pleasure. It is a debilitating symptom in depression and core negative symptom in schizophrenia. The neurobiological underpinnings remain poorly understood despite this clear clinical need. While reduced dopamine activity in the ventral striatum has long been implicated, wider reward circuitry involving the prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, ventral tegmental area, and amygdala points to a broader network dysfunction.

Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests that neurotransmitter systems beyond dopamine – including opioids, serotonin, GABA, and glutamate – modulate the reward system in ways not yet fully mapped. The field lacks a clear mechanistic understanding of which neuronal subtypes across which brain regions are critical to manifesting anhedonia.

The aim of this project is to examine cell and brain region specific alterations in rodent and in vitro models of anhedonia to identify biomarkers and potential future therapeutic targets for anhedonia patients.

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in computational neuroscience research to join team CMA located in New Haven, Connecticut. The postdoc will contribute to the experimental design of the project, generate data, oversee a research associate, and present findings to the team and research sponsor. The postdoc will be able to hone existing expertise and obtain new technical training in the state-of-the-art lab facility located in New Haven, CT.

The postdoc position offers significant scientific independence and offers the valuable opportunity to break into industry science while maintaining the standards of scientific rigor required to investigate neuropsychiatric illness.

The ideal candidate will have:

• PhD in Neuroscience/Psychology.
• Publication record of first author manuscripts.
• Robust track record of mentorship experience.
• History of independent project management.
• Strong written and oral scientific communication skills.

• Proficiency in computational modeling incorporating rodent model and human data (Mat Lab, Python, etc).
• Cell and Molecular Experimental Skills (In-situ hybridization, western blotting, immunohistochemistry).
• Experience working in a research team and ability to meet deadlines set forth by the group leader.

• Experience with rodent behavioral models of anhedonia.
• Knowledge of mitochondrial dynamics (fusion/fission, ETC, mitophagy).
• Human neuroimaging analysis (fMRI, PET, MR Spectroscopy).

• The position is fully funded by Abb Vie and is immediately available.
• International, diverse, and positive work atmosphere with a flexible working environment.
• NIH-Aligned salary with employee benefits plan following the Post-Doctoral IRTA stipend table.
• Access to a vast scientific network.

At Bio Med X we embrace diversity as we consider it the source of innovation. We are committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ideology, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, or disability.

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