Texas A&M University Health Science Center is looking to conduct research into the neurophysiology of vasopressin and oxytocin neurosecretory neurons, their role in hydromineral balance, and their dysfunction in a rat model of heart failure.
Requirements
- Expertise in software /data analysis such as: pCLAMP, ImageJ, MatLab
- Experience using Igor Pro, SigmaPlot, OriginLab, Imaris, Prism, and/or Adobe Illustrator
- Brain slice electrophysiology: Prepping solutions for recordings, cutting live brain slices on a vibratome, and performing voltage and current clamp recordings in neurons.
- Using optogenetics, photolytic uncaging, chemogenetics, fluorescent biosensors, electrical stimulation, and application of pharmacologic compounds during patch clamp experiments.
- Maintaining the electrophysiology rig, keeping accurate records of experiments, performing data analysis, and creating figures for publications and grants.
- Calcium imaging: Utilizing calcium dyes or genetically encoded calcium sensors (i.e. GCaMP) to measure and quantify intracellular calcium levels in a live brain slice preparation.
- Rodent survival surgery: Stereotaxic delivery of AAVs encoding fluorescent tracers, DREADDs or opsins to be used in electrophysiology experiments.
Responsibilities
- Perform patch clamp electrophysiology, calcium imaging, rodent survival surgery, and immunohistochemistry to study the neurophysiology of vasopressin and oxytocin neurosecretory neurons, their role in hydromineral balance, and their dysfunction in a rat model of heart failure.
- Under general supervision, is responsible for conducting research into their field of expertise.
- Utilizes knowledge and skills granted to them by their education and expertise to complete research projects in their field of expertise.
- Assists with the preparation and cleaning of worksite.
- Analyzes research data and summarizes results.
- Prepares presentation materials on research topic that may be presented to small and/or large groups.
- Writes and may contribute to research papers, articles, and publications.
Other
- Appropriate PhD in neuroscience, neurophysiology, or a related field.
- May have to work on the weekend and/or after normal hours.
- May travel as required.
- Excellent verbal and written skills.
- Presentation skills.
