Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Tennessee
Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs in Tennessee are concentrated in academic research, biomedical sciences, and engineering, with consistent demand at institutions anchored in Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville. Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are among the most active and established employers for these roles across the state. The most in-demand specializations include cancer biology, computational neuroscience, and materials science. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 34+ Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs
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 34 Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsPostdoctoral Research Associate Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Postdoctoral Research Associate Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital32
- Middle Tennessee State University1
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center1
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Non-Profit & Social Services
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in postdoctoral research associate jobs across Tennessee.
- PhD in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline completed or near completion
- Demonstrated research experience through peer-reviewed publications or graduate thesis work
- Proficiency with laboratory techniques or computational methods relevant to the host lab
- Ability to design, execute, and interpret independent research projects
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for grant writing and conference presentations
- Experience collaborating within multidisciplinary research teams in an academic or institutional setting
Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a postdoctoral research associate in Tennessee?
The standard path is completing a doctoral degree, then applying directly to postdoctoral openings at Tennessee research universities or medical centers. Tennessee does not require a state license for postdoctoral research associates. Most positions are filled through institutional hiring portals at places like Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee system, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, where applicants submit a CV, research statement, and reference letters.
Which companies hire postdoctoral research associates in Tennessee?
Companies currently hiring postdoctoral research associates in Tennessee include St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Middle Tennessee State University, and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Tennessee's concentration of research universities and major medical institutions means many openings are tied to academic departments and hospital-affiliated research programs across Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville.
Which Tennessee cities have the most postdoctoral research associate jobs?
The cities with the most postdoctoral research associate openings in Tennessee are Memphis and Murfreesboro. Nashville drives volume through Vanderbilt University and Meharry Medical College, Memphis is anchored by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and Knoxville reflects the research activity of the University of Tennessee's flagship campus and proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Are there remote postdoctoral research associate jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. Postdoctoral research associate work is largely hands-on, involving laboratory experiments, specialized equipment, or direct collaboration with research teams on-site. About 0% of postdoctoral research associate openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to be computational, bioinformatics, or data-intensive positions where the work can be performed independently without physical lab access.
How can I get hired as a postdoctoral research associate in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying while still completing your doctoral program, since many Tennessee institutions accept applications from candidates within six months of their defense. Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee system post positions open to new PhD graduates, and St. Jude maintains a structured postdoctoral fellowship program for early-career researchers. Relevant graduate publications or a strong dissertation proposal help considerably, as does reaching out directly to principal investigators whose lab interests align with your doctoral work.
Where can I find and apply to postdoctoral research associate jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to postdoctoral research associate jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, identify the ones that fit your background and research focus, and apply directly to each position.
See All 34 Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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