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Position Summary:
The laboratory of Sharon Swanger, PhD studies the molecules and mechanisms controlling synaptic transmission and circuit excitability in the thalamus as well as how thalamic physiology is dysregulated in mouse models of neurological disease. This work involves functional studies utilizing neurotransmitter receptor pharmacology, optical and electrical recordings in brain slices, and ex vivo optogenetics. We also apply biochemical and cell biological approaches including super-resolution microscopy to study synaptic protein expression and localization in mouse brain tissue. Swanger lab is seeking to hire a Postdoctoral Associate. Candidate in this capacity is expected to have a solid background in electrophysiology and fluorescence imaging, and experience with mouse models of disease, small animal surgery, and biochemical approaches is highly desirable.
Successful candidate will be expected to:
1. Record from acute brain slices isolated from mice using patch-clamp electrophysiology;
2. Implement live fluorescence imaging in mouse cultured neurons and brain slices;
3. Determine cellular and molecular changes underlying hyperexcitability in mouse brain tissue;
4. Perform stereotaxic brain injections to label specific neurons for optogenetics and imaging;
5. Mentor undergraduate students in electrophysiology, fluorescence imaging, and biochemistry.

Required Qualifications:
1. PhD in pharmacology, physiology, neuroscience, or a related field;
2. Proficiency in patch-clamp physiology;
3. Research experience using mouse models;
4. Demonstrated experience utilizing fluorescence imaging or molecular biology methods;
5. Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:
1. Brain slice electrophysiology;
2. Live-cell fluorescence imaging.



To apply please click here!