Postdoctoral Research Associate, Basic Medical Sciences (College of Medicine-Phoenix)

A Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Shenfeng Qiu in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, investigating neural mechanisms underlying genetic risks for neurodevelopmental disorders in animal models. The successful candidate will be a well-rounded, enthusiastic individual with training in the broad area of biomedical sciences, skills of electrophysiology (patch clamp whole cell recordings) and biochemical analysis of proteins are essential. Experience with in vivo multichannel recording and data analysis, single unit recording to study developmental cortical plasticity is also desirable. The candidate should have experience performing research in a laboratory setting and should author research papers. This individual should be detailed oriented, conscientious, and able to follow instructions and have the ability to communicate in a clear, concise manner orally and in writing.

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix anchors the 28-acre Phoenix Biomedical Campus in the heart of the Valley of the Sun. The College inspires and trains individuals to become exemplary physicians, scientists and leaders who are life-long learners and inquisitive scholars.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Develops, designs, and conducts one or more small or moderately complex research projects in line with plan. Responsible for operation of a specialized research area or lab.
• Formulates research methods and develops research criteria.
• Familiarization of research literature, design of daily research experiment.

• Conduct various research projects related to mechanistic investigations of neurodevelopmental disorders, using mouse models. These experiments include, but are not limited to:  immunohistochemistry staining, confocal and two photon microscope imaging, patch clamp recording in brain slices, laser scanning photostimulation combined with glutamate uncaging to quantify circuit connectivity, multichannel in vivo recording, single unit recording to investigate cortical circuit plasticity, and a battery of mouse behavior tests using Ethiovision.
• May co-author and may co-present results with principal investigators at meetings or conferences.
• Participates in acquiring research funding including writing grant proposals.
• Oversees day-to-day operation of project and may supervise support personnel.
• Additional duties as assigned.

• PhD in biology or a related field.
• One to two years of research experience.

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise manner orally and in writing.

• Experience with electrophysiology, whole cell patch clamp recording measurement in brain slices.

• Experience with in vivo multielectrode recording of neural signals, and data analysis.

• Familiarity with immunological methods such as western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry analysis.

• Experience with basic molecular biology techniques, such as cloning, electrophoresis and PCR.

• Primary neuronal culture, plasmid transfection.

• Demonstrated ability to independently develop reports and manuscripts and present findings in tabular, oral, written, and/or graphic formats.

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