Postdoctoral Associate in Pediatric Neurology, Dr. Juan M. Pascual’s Lab

As a Postdoctoral Associate, the candidate will be working on an NIH-funded project investigating how cerebellar neurophysiology is disrupted by chronic glucose hypo metabolism, the metabolic hallmark of GLUT1 deficiency syndrome (a genetic disorder producing ataxia). A second, complementary arm of the project examines a novel mutation in the DNA repair gene Rif1 that produces supernormal motor performance in mice, offering a contrasting model of enhanced cerebellar function.

Using in vitro and in vivo preparations, the candidate will dissect cerebellar circuit-level changes using a combination of electrophysiological, pharmacological and imaging-based approaches.

The candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Conducting the research independently and collaboratively with colleagues to ensure all experiments are appropriately conducted following Lab, Department, and College policies and procedures.
• Designing, organising, and carrying out experiments using established protocols.
• Collecting, preparing and analysing data. This includes keeping a detailed notebook summarizing experiments and recording research data.
• Tabulating data for presentations and use graphics and statistical software to analyse and present data.
• Participating in abstract and article preparation with the Principal Investigator, publish results in research journals, and present findings at conferences.
• Assisting the Principal Investigator in applying for fellowship, grant, and scholarship support, as requested.
• Assuming general responsibility for scientific operations of the laboratory, including training and supervising interns, students, and other laboratory personnel, as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in neuroscience, physiology, or a closely related field.
• 2 years of published brain slice electrophysiology.
• Published experience with quantitative/statistical analysis and scientific programming.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation; at least one must be from the candidate's doctoral advisor or most recent research supervisor, addressing the candidate's technical competence, independence, and readiness for postdoctoral-level research.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with imaging-based approaches in acute brain slices.
• Published MATLAB or Python proficiency