Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M University Health Science Center

Department

Psychiatry and Behavioral Science

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Bryan, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment    

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences.  Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.   

  

Who we are  

As one of the fastest-growing academic health centers in the nation, Texas A&M Health encompasses five colleges and numerous centers and institutes working together to improve health through transformative education, innovative research and team-based health care delivery. 

  

What we want   

The Postdoctoral Research Associate conducts experiments to address role of glutamate receptors in the central nervous system using mouse models. Examines the role of NMDA receptor subtypes in astrocytes and interneurons. Examines the role of glutamate delta 1 receptor in Parkinson’s disease and chronic pain. Uses techniques including confocal imaging, brain slice electrophysiology, in vivo manipulations, molecular biology, drug discovery and behavioral analysis. Applies genetic mouse models. Conducts experiments, analysis, preparation of report and publication and presentation in scientific meetings.

What you need to know

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate to the selected hire’s experience.  

Required Education and Experience:

• Appropriate PhD in neuroscience, pharmacology, or related areas. If the degree had not been conferred at the time applicant applied for a postdoc position, a letter needs to be attached from the school’s official Graduate Office and/or Registrar’s Office certifying that all requirements for the degree have been met and stating the degree conferral date.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in in neuroscience, pharmacology, or related areas.

• Expertise in electrophysiology, neural circuit analysis, molecular biology, imaging, drug discovery, medicinal chemistry or biochemistry techniques are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:

Conduct Experiments

• Conducts experiments to address role of glutamate receptors in the central nervous system using mouse models.

• Performs experiments including brain slice electrophysiology to evaluate changes in neurotransmission, in vivo manipulation to express different proteins in the neurons for optogenetics, chemogenetics and conditional deletion.

• Performs duties involving confocal imaging experiments to examine changes in synaptic markers or glutamate receptors in various disease models including Parkinson’s model and chronic pain model.

• Develops and applies assays for drug discovery for glutamate receptors, including in vitro assay as well as cell-free assay and in vivo testing.

• Mouse model testing includes behavioral analysis in various paradigms including cognitive function, sensory and aversive behavior in chronic pain models, motor function in Parkinson’s disease model and other behaviors related to anxiety and depression.

• Develops new ideas related to the ongoing studies and testing new hypothesis.

Data Analysis

• Analyzes data generated by electrophysiology, imaging, drug discovery and behavioral experiments using different software.

Publications

• Compiles reports for publication and funded or future grant applications.

• Publishes research findings in peer reviewed journals.

• Applies for fellowship relevant to the area of research.

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application. 

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.