What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Researcher position at New York State Psychiatry Institute?
Job Title: Postdoctoral Researcher
Grade: 17
Salary: $61,613-$67,000
The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene is seeking a qualified applicant to fill a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher position for the Division of Systems Neuroscience at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Applications are invited for a joint postdoctoral position in the labs of Saskia Haegens and Alexander Harris at RFMH/Columbia University, in close collaboration with Stephanie Jones at Brown University. The Haegens/Brain Rhythms lab is interested in the mechanistic role of brain oscillations, studied in the context of perception and cognition using electrophysiological methods. The Harris/Neural Circuits lab investigates the neural circuitry underlying psychiatric disorders by recording and manipulating neural activity in mouse models. The Jones lab uses computational neuroscience methods to develop biophysically principled models of neural circuits that bridge electrophysiological measures of brain function to the underlying cellular and network level dynamics.
We are looking for a highly talented postdoctoral researcher for an NSF funded Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience project entitled "Uncovering the mechanisms and meaning of brain rhythm frequency shifts during decision making". We have previously shown that beta oscillatory dynamics reflect categorical decisions in humans and NHP. Specifically, beta frequency shifts in prefrontal cortex appear to synchronize different neuronal ensembles that represent specific decision outcomes. Our preliminary data show similar dynamics in the rodent brain. While these frequency shifts appear key to decision making, the underlying mechanisms of generation, and hence causal meaning, remain unknown.
In our larger research program, we will use the HNN framework developed by the Jones lab, informed by spectrotemporal analysis of previously collected human and rodent data, as well as new electrophysiological recordings and optogenetic neuromodulation experiments in mice, to test hypotheses on cell- and circuit-level generation of beta frequency shifts and their causal implications in the context of decision making.
The current opening is for a postdoc who will be in charge of data analysis and the rodent experiments of this research program. More information about the respective labs can be found at:
- http://haegenslab.com
- http://www.columbia.edu/cu/neuralcircuitslab
- https://sites.brown.edu/stephanie-r-jones-lab
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Conduct electrophysiology recordings and optogenetic manipulations in mice, and will closely collaborate with others working on the computational modeling counterparts within the larger research program
- Responsible for the analysis of previously collected human EEG data and the design, implementation and analysis of rodent experiments testing various hypotheses regarding the mechanistic role of beta frequency shifts, and be involved in the subsequent communication and publication of the experimental results
Minimum Qualifications:
- PhD in cognitive/systems neuroscience or a related field,
- At least (1) year of signal processing and programming skills (e.g., Matlab, Python)
- At least (1) year of experience with in-vivo rodent techniques.
Preferred Qualifications:
As an ideal candidate you have:
- Prior experience with electrophysiological data acquisition and analysis in animal models, as well as a record of published work on topics relevant to the research program
- Strong organizational skills, be able to work independently, and have excellent interpersonal communication skills
- Able to work in a dynamic, collaborative and international environment, and enjoy working within a diverse team
Work Location: 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032
To Apply: Submit an application through our website at https://nyspi.applicantpro.com/jobs/. Please note only applications submitted through our website will be considered.
The Mission of the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. (RFMH) is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a focus on providing hope and supporting recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. Applicants with lived mental health experience are encouraged to apply. RFMH is deeply committed to supporting underserved individuals, organizations, and communities. To this end, RFMH is focused on implementing activities and initiatives to reduce disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for underserved populations. A critical component of these efforts is ensuring that RFMH is a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees' unique attributes and skills are valued and utilized to support the mission of the Agency. RFMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
The Research Foundation is a private not-for-profit corporation and is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. Excellent Benefits Package. Employer/Minority/Women/Disabled/Veteran Employer. VEVRAA 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) compliant.
Salary : $61,613 - $67,000
