Texas A&M University Health Science Center is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct experiments to address the role of glutamate receptors in the central nervous system using mouse models, specifically examining the role of NMDA receptor subtypes in astrocytes and interneurons, and the role of glutamate delta 1 receptor in Parkinson’s disease and chronic pain.
Requirements
- Appropriate PhD 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.
- Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
- Ph.D. in in neuroscience, pharmacology, or related areas.
- Experience with confocal imaging, brain slice electrophysiology, in vivo manipulations, molecular biology, drug discovery and behavioral analysis.
- Experience with genetic mouse models.
- Experience with data analysis software.
Responsibilities
- 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.
- Analyzes data generated by electrophysiology, imaging, drug discovery and behavioral experiments using different software.
Other
- A cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references (to include at least one previous supervisor) are strongly recommended.
- 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.
- Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
- Travel requirements not specified.
- Must be eligible to work in the United States.
