The Postdoctoral Associate will investigate the cellular and circuit mechanisms that regulate the postnatal development of corticostriatal neural circuits and how these processes are altered in genetic models of neurodevelopmental disorders, including SHANK3 deficiency. The research will focus on the development and functional maturation of corticostriatal projections and their interactions with striatal and cortical circuits. The position will involve a combination of confocal microscopy, quantitative image analysis, viral and genetic circuit-manipulation approaches, whole-cell electrophysiology in mouse brain slices, and in vivo recordings of neural activity using electrophysiology. The Postdoctoral Associate will design and conduct experiments, analyze and interpret data, contribute to the development of new experimental approaches, prepare manuscripts and scientific presentations, and work with the PI on the development of future research directions. The associate will also contribute to the training and supervision of junior laboratory members and will be encouraged to develop increasing scientific independence during the appointment.

Qualifications:

A doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) in Neuroscience or a closely related biomedical field is required. The successful candidate must have at least five years of research experience/exposure involving confocal microscopy and whole-cell electrophysiology. Additional relevant experience includes mouse models of neural circuit development or neurodevelopmental disorders, brain-slice electrophysiology, fluorescence microscopy and quantitative image analysis, neuroanatomical methods, viral-vector approaches, and analysis of neuronal morphology and connectivity. Candidates should have strong experimental, quantitative, and problem-solving skills; the ability to analyze and interpret complex datasets; effective written and oral scientific communication skills; and the ability to conduct research both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary neuroscience laboratory.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.