Post-Doctoral Associate - Noel Lab, Department of Neuroscience

About the Job

The Noel Lab (noel-lab.org) in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota is seeking highly motivated Postdoctoral Associates to join our team. 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.

Our lab is broadly interested in Bayesian inference, perception, multisensory integration, spatial navigation, sensorimotor loops, embodied cognition, and computational psychiatry. We work across levels of analysis—from single neurons to human behavior—using both rodent and human models. This position will focus primarily on rodent research, though exceptional candidates with expertise in human cognitive neuroscience are encouraged to apply.

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 will be embedded within the newly launched Simons Collaboration on Ecological Neuroscience (SCENE)—a multi‑species, international consortium exploring ecological behaviors across rodents, bats, non‑human primates, and humans.

• 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)

• 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).
• Carry out rodent surgeries.
• Analyze data and contribute to computational models.
• Draft high‑quality figures, manuscripts, and grant materials.
• Present findings at scientific meetings.

• Mentor students and foster a dynamic, collaborative lab culture.
• Maintain proper documentation and keep standard operating procedures up to date.

Start Date:

July 1, 2025 (negotiable)

• Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong publication record.
• Interest in understanding 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).

• Background in machine learning or computational modeling (Bayesian methods, neural networks, etc.).
• 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

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) 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 contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Required documents: CV (including publications) and a Cover Letter indicating:

• Your preferred starting date.
• Your scientific…