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Position Summary:
A postdoctoral position is available in the lab of Dr. Kendra Sewall in the Department of Biological Sciences at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. The candidate will work on a project examining the effect of lead exposure on neural development and song learning in songbirds. The successful applicant will rear zebra finches in captivity, assess their song learning, and conduct histology and immunohistochemistry to examine markers of neural development.
The project will require that the postdoc carrying out animal husbandry and extensive behavioral experiments in captivity. The successful candidate will also conduct histological work, immunohistochemistry (for markers of neurogenesis) in the lab, assays of lead in tissues, and extensive microscopy. Experience with immunohistochemistry or ecotoxicology is a plus. The aim of the study is to understand how lead exposure impacts neural recruitment to the brain circuits that regulate song learning. The postdoc will be involved in all aspects of the project and thus will receive broad training in behavior, neurobiology and ecotoxicology by the PI and collaborators Christopher Thompson (School of Neuroscience) and Madeline Schreiber (Geosciences) also at Virginia Tech. The successful applicant will join a group of exceptional researchers in organismal biology and neuroscience, including Drs. Joel McGlothlin, Ignacio Moore, Dana Hawley, Martha Munoz, Jeff Walters, Bill Hopkins, Sarah Clinton, Georgia Hodes, and Michael Bowers. Another resource for this project is Virginia Tech's Global Change Center.

Required Qualifications:
Must have completed a PhD degree in Neurobiology or related fields prior to the start date. Strong publication record, communication skills, organizational skills, teamwork, and leadership ability required.

Preferred Qualifications:
Previous relevant field and lab research experience and some postdoctoral experience preferred.



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