Postdoctoral Associate

New Jersey’s academic health center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences ( RBHS ) takes an integrated approach to educating students, providing clinical care, and conducting research, all with the goal of improving human health. Aligned with Rutgers University–New Brunswick and collaborating university wide, RBHS includes eight schools, a behavioral health network, and five centers and institutes that focus on cancer treatment and research, neuroscience, advanced biotechnology and medicine, environmental and occupational health, and health care policy and aging research. Our faculty are teachers, clinicians, and scientists with unparalleled experience who advance medical innovation and provide patient care informed by the latest research findings. We offer an outstanding education in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, biomedical research, and the full spectrum of allied health careers. Our clinical and academic facilities are located throughout the state—at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, including Piscataway; and at locations in Newark, Scotch Plains, Somerset, Stratford, and other locations. Clinical partners include Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Newark’s University Hospital in Newark, and other affiliates. Through this community of healers, scientists, and scholars, Rutgers is equipped as never before to transform lives.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate for the Center for Advanced Biotechnology & Medicine ( CABM ) within Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences ( RBHS ). The primary purpose of the Postdoctoral Associate is to join an exciting neuroscience project developing and utilizing new optical and molecular tools to study neural circuits. Under the direction of the Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Ian Oldenburg, the Postdoctoral Associate will investigate of the role of neural activity in guiding and initiating motor actions. The Oldenburg Lab uses and develops advanced microscopy techniques, including multiphoton holographic optogenetics and calcium imaging in awake head fixed mice, to understand how groups of neurons work together to enact motor actions. Neural activity is complex and high dimensional with some activity patterns being associated with movements and others not. By using our novel techniques, that can drive precise patterns of activity distributed across many neurons, we can test different theories of the ‘population code’, gaining a causal understanding of how population activity drives actions. The postdoc will work with the PI to develop an independent project, that leverages the expertise of the lab and the skills and interests of the postdoc. In addition to multiphoton imaging and multiphoton optogenetics, projects may also involve animal training, electrical and optical engineering, electrophysiology, molecular biology, and/or computational analyses.The postdoc will have the opportunity to guide the research of an undergraduate research assistant, if desired. Mentorship is a core mission of the Oldenburg Lab. All members of the lab are expected to be helpful and supportive of each other. The PI will endeavor to do what he can to help each member succeed, both within the lab and when they eventually move on. As such, every member of the lab is encouraged to explore that which interests them and to share their specific expertise. In addition, the postdoc will have the opportunity to attend scientific conferences and learn appropriate scientific methods and procedures. Among the key duties of this position are the following:

Carry out multiphoton optogenetic manipulation and imaging of neural activity in head-fixed rodents.

Conduct rodent surgeries, rodent training, computational analyses, and other procedures necessary for the advancement of the project.

Participate in the configuration and maintenance of laboratory instrumentation and equipment, including computers, necessary for conduct of the project.

Prepare scientific manuscripts for publication, and contribute to the preparation of research grant and fellowship applications.

Supervise and guide the research project of an undergraduate research assistant.

Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Optical Physics/Engineering, Molecular Biology, or a related science is required. Ph.D. Candidates who meet requirements with All But Degree ( ABD ) will be considered.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS : Manual dexterity and vision sufficient for standard laboratory operations including pipetting and use of microscopes. Lifting up to 25 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT : Lab environment. Universal precautions are mandatory.