Postdoctoral Positions – Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology

Postdoctoral Scholar – Open Positions in Anatomy and Neurobiology

Postdoctoral Scholar positions are occasionally available throughout the year in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology. These positions are under the sponsorship of the faculty member(s) in Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine.

Qualified candidates should possess a doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D., M.D.) or the foreign equivalent and submit curriculum vitae along with the names and contact information of three references to the following recruitment URL:

https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF07720

Department: https://anatomy.uci.edu/

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Molecular Neurobiology (Hunt Lab)

A Postdoctoral Fellow position is available in the Hunt laboratory at University of California, Irvine. Our lab studies conditions of brain development and brain injury where a treatment does not yet exist. We integrate a constellation of molecular, cellular, developmental, electrophysiological and systems-level methods in our research, with the goal of developing new therapies. The lab is currently supported by multiple grants from NIH, DoD, California Institute of Regenerative Medicine and private sources to support these projects.

Learn more about our research program at www.roberthuntlab.org

We are recruiting broadly, but we are specifically looking for a postdoc candidate with a background and interest in developing new cellular and molecular tools for therapy. Applicants with experience in viral vector design, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, molecular cloning, qPCR, protein biochemistry, iPSC culture and differentiation and advanced microscopy are especially encouraged to apply. Our studies use mouse models, human pluripotent stem cells, and/or a variety of non-traditional animal models. The lab is highly collaborative, and there are many additional opportunities available on campus or within our laboratory for training in neuroscience and stem cell biology.

Postdoctoral positions – Igarashi lab

A postdoctoral scholar position is available in the Igarashi laboratory at University of California Irvine. We investigate (1) circuit mechanisms for associative memory in the circuit of entorhinal cortex and hippocampus, and (2) how these mechanisms in the memory circuit are affected and can be manipulated to restore memory in Alzheimer’s disease models. Our work uses in vivo tetrode/silicon probe recordings from behaving mice, optogenetics, memory behavioral tasks, and single-cell anatomy. The successful candidate will work on either or both of above two projects.

Requirements: The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. with research experience relevant to our lab interests and a desire to work independently within a collaborative team environment. Preference will be given to candidates with established expertise in either in vivo or in vitro electrophysiology. We are especially seeking an outstanding candidate interested in combining genetic approaches with in vivo electrophysiological recording from behaving mice. Competitive applicants should have at least one high-quality, first-author publication.
Learn more about our research program at www.igarashilab.org

Applicants should send following materials to kei.igarashi@uci.edu

Curriculum Vitae
Contact information for 3 references
Research Statement – describe prior experience, future goals, and address how you think you can contribute to the overall research direction of the Igarashi laboratory

Postdoctoral positions – Gall/Lynch lab

Postdoctoral Scholar positions are available in the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of California at Irvine, in the laboratories of Christine Gall or Gary Lynch. Successful applicants have the opportunity to work on one or more projects directed at the following topics: differentiation of synaptic signal transduction and plasticity across the nodes of the cortico-hippocampal network; neuromodulators (e.g. estrogen, endocannabinoids) and synaptic plasticity; impaired spine actin regulation in models of cognitive disorders such as fragile X syndrome. Methods to be used include field and clamp electrophysiological recording, optogenetic stimulation, DREADDS, fluorescence deconvolution tomography, behavioral tasks, and genomic manipulations. Individuals with experience in slice electrophysiology and data analysis are especially encouraged to apply. Start date is negotiable. Salaries are commensurate with experience based on the NIH scale.

Requirements: Candidates should have a Ph.D. in neuroscience, or a related field. Experience in at least one of the techniques described above is essential, and experience with microscopy or programming (Matlab, Python) is desired, and should be discussed in the research statement. We seek highly motivated individuals with solid problem solving abilities and communications skills.

Interested candidates should complete an online application profile and upload the following materials:

1. Curriculum Vitae – your most recently updated C.V.

2. Cover Letter

3. Statement of Research

4. 3 Letters of Reference The University of California at Irvine has a diverse and interactive neuroscience community.

There is rich training environment with journal clubs, interdepartmental seminars, career seminars and workshops.

Postdoctoral positions – Acharya lab

Postdoctoral positions are available for 2-3 years in the laboratory of Dr. Munjal Acharya funded by NIH, California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and the American Cancer Society (ACS). Salary will be commensurate with experience.

The scholar will be responsible for investigating regenerative strategies to remediate radiation- or chemo-therapy-related brain injury (chemobrain) and cognitive dysfunction. Additional projects will involve characterizing the impact of gliosis (microglial and astrocytic activation), neuroinflammation and CNS complement cascade activation on brain function. Our laboratory employs gene silencing, transgenic, stem cell-based, and pharmacological approaches to study neurobiological mechanisms and regenerative strategies to ameliorate neuroinflammation and cognitive impairments.

Requirements: Successful candidates will have an excellent track record and be highly motivated scientist who can carry out independent experiments and work well with a team. The successful candidate will play a critical role in contributing to execution of the overall aims of the project and the analysis and preparation of the data for presentation in scientific meetings and peer-reviewed publications.

Required skills:
A Ph.D. and laboratory experience in neuroscience, molecular biology and/or biochemistry.
Hands-on experience with the mouse or rat handling, rodent behavior, and cognitive function
Standard molecular and cell biology techniques (i.e. immunohistochemistry, ELISA, Western blot, RNA, DNA).
Strong skills in organization, data handling, and statistical analysis.
Supervise/train students and research staff.
Proficiency in English with excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Desirable skills:
Brain cancer induction (orthotopic and flank cancer models), cancer imaging (BLI, CBCT)
Hands-on experience with mouse and/or rat stereotaxic surgery
Mammalian cell culturing (human or rodent stem cells, cancer cells), isolation and characterization of extracellular vesicles (exosomes)
Confocal and/or Super-Resolution microscopy, and 3D fluorescent image quantification techniques (i.e. Imaris, Auto Quant, ClearView, Neurolucida, Stereology).
Knowledge of genetic manipulation of mammalian cells and mouse brain to knockdown or overexpress genes (AAV, Lentivirus, CRISPR-Cas, Cre-LoxP)
Electrophysiology experience would be advantageous

Send CV with the names and addresses of three references (please do not solicit letters) to: Dr. Munjal Acharya macharya@uci.edu

Or apply to: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF07131