Postdoctoral Associate Jobs in Tennessee
Postdoctoral Associate jobs in Tennessee are concentrated in Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville, where research universities, academic medical centers, and federal laboratories sustain steady demand for early-career scientists and scholars. Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are among the most consistent Tennessee employers, with active postdoc programs in biomedical science, oncology, and computational research. Competition for positions is genuine but the pipeline of open roles is broad, covering everything from bench science to policy-oriented social research. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Job Description
Our laboratory conducts behavioral and 2-photon laser-scanning microscopy imaging of neuronal activity in mutant mice, with a focus on models of high-risk genetic risks for schizophrenia.
Our laboratory conducts 2-photon laser-scanning microscopy imaging of neuronal activity in the auditory system of behaving mice and rats. The laboratory is equipped with Mini-2p (Thorlabs) for imaging neuronal activity in behaving animals, two 2-photon mesoscopes (Thorlabs) for imaging large cortical and subcortical areas in awake head-fixed animals, two 2-photon microscopes for single-cell electrophysiological experiments in brain slices (Chun et al, Science 2014; Blundon et. al. Science 2017; Davenport et al., Cell 2022; Bayazitov et al., Cell Reports 2024, Patton et al., Cell Reports 2024; Eom, et al, Nature Communications 2024).
Preference will be given to applicants who have received their Ph.D. degrees in neuroscience or related fields within the last 3 years and have experience in imaging in vivo. Skills in computational neuroscience and data mining using machine learning methods are a plus.
Qualifications:
- PhD in neuroscience, or related fields
- DeepLabCut or similar methods
- Demonstrated hands-on experience with 2-photon imaging techniques
- Experience analyzing time-series data, preferably from neuroimaging or behavioral studies
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a collaborative environment
The successful candidate will join a diverse team of researchers whose efforts are directed toward understanding behavior at the levels of neural circuits, individual neurons, synapses, and molecules. The laboratory is part of the Department of Developmental Neurobiology, which houses specialized departmental shared resources, including an integrated support structure for rodent behavior testing, brain organoids, in vivo and ex vivo cellular imaging, bioinformatics, production of genetically engineered animal models, single-cell profiling, and advanced image processing and analysis. In addition, numerous institutional shared resources and core facilities support the laboratory by providing expertise and state-of-the-art technologies.
We are committed to a human-centered hiring experience. Technology may support portions of our process, but recruiting decisions involve human review and engagement. Learn more about our approach to AI.
St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer
No Search Firms
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.
Job Description
Our laboratory conducts behavioral and 2-photon laser-scanning microscopy imaging of neuronal activity in mutant mice, with a focus on models of high-risk genetic risks for schizophrenia.
Our laboratory conducts 2-photon laser-scanning microscopy imaging of neuronal activity in the auditory system of behaving mice and rats. The laboratory is equipped with Mini-2p (Thorlabs) for imaging neuronal activity in behaving animals, two 2-photon mesoscopes (Thorlabs) for imaging large cortical and subcortical areas in awake head-fixed animals, two 2-photon microscopes for single-cell electrophysiological experiments in brain slices (Chun et al, Science 2014; Blundon et. al. Science 2017; Davenport et al., Cell 2022; Bayazitov et al., Cell Reports 2024, Patton et al., Cell Reports 2024; Eom, et al, Nature Communications 2024).
Preference will be given to applicants who have received their Ph.D. degrees in neuroscience or related fields within the last 3 years and have experience in imaging in vivo. Skills in computational neuroscience and data mining using machine learning methods are a plus.
Qualifications:
- PhD in neuroscience, or related fields
- DeepLabCut or similar methods
- Demonstrated hands-on experience with 2-photon imaging techniques
- Experience analyzing time-series data, preferably from neuroimaging or behavioral studies
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a collaborative environment
The successful candidate will join a diverse team of researchers whose efforts are directed toward understanding behavior at the levels of neural circuits, individual neurons, synapses, and molecules. The laboratory is part of the Department of Developmental Neurobiology, which houses specialized departmental shared resources, including an integrated support structure for rodent behavior testing, brain organoids, in vivo and ex vivo cellular imaging, bioinformatics, production of genetically engineered animal models, single-cell profiling, and advanced image processing and analysis. In addition, numerous institutional shared resources and core facilities support the laboratory by providing expertise and state-of-the-art technologies.
We are committed to a human-centered hiring experience. Technology may support portions of our process, but recruiting decisions involve human review and engagement. Learn more about our approach to AI.
St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer
No Search Firms
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.
See All 30 Postdoctoral Associate Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Postdoctoral Associate JobsPostdoctoral Associate Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Postdoctoral Associate Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Non-Profit & Social Services
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in postdoctoral associate jobs across Tennessee.
- PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in a relevant scientific or scholarly field
- Strong publication record or demonstrated research output in a peer-reviewed discipline
- Experience with experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing
- Proficiency with discipline-specific laboratory techniques or computational tools
- Ability to work independently while collaborating within a principal investigator's research group
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting findings and grant reports
Postdoctoral Associate Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a postdoctoral associate in Tennessee?
Becoming a postdoctoral associate in Tennessee requires a completed doctoral degree, typically a PhD, MD, or equivalent, in the relevant field. Tennessee does not issue a state license for postdoctoral researchers, so hiring is driven by institutional requirements rather than a state credentialing board. Candidates apply directly to research programs at universities, medical centers, or federal facilities, submitting a CV, cover letter, research statement, and reference letters to the hiring principal investigator.
Which companies hire postdoctoral associates in Tennessee?
Tennessee postdoctoral associate roles are posted by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Tennessee's postdoc market is anchored by its research university systems and specialized institutions, meaning many openings sit within academic departments, affiliated medical schools, and federally funded research centers rather than private sector firms.
Which Tennessee cities have the most postdoctoral associate jobs?
Memphis account for the largest share of postdoctoral associate openings in Tennessee. Nashville leads because of Vanderbilt University's extensive research enterprise and its affiliated medical center, Memphis draws strong demand through St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the University of Memphis, and Knoxville reflects the University of Tennessee's broad doctoral programs alongside proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Are there remote postdoctoral associate jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. Most postdoctoral associate work is inherently on-site because it involves laboratory experiments, clinical data collection, or hands-on collaboration with a research group. About 0% of postdoctoral associate openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those roles tend to involve computational modeling, data science, or policy analysis rather than wet-lab or clinical research.
How can I get hired as a postdoctoral associate in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to structured postdoctoral training programs at Tennessee's anchor research institutions before your doctoral degree is conferred. Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital each run formal postdoc onboarding pipelines that accept candidates who are finishing dissertations. Strengthening your application with a clear research proposal, at least one submitted manuscript, and a letter from your doctoral advisor substantially improves your odds at these competitive programs.
Where can I find and apply to postdoctoral associate jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to postdoctoral associate jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current Tennessee openings updated regularly. Search the available roles by keyword or location, identify the positions that match your research background and career stage, and apply directly to the ones that fit your goals.
See All 30 Postdoctoral Associate Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Postdoctoral Associate Jobs