Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Houston, TX

The position would be with Dr. Sun's lab. We are seeking a highly motivated neuroscientist with a strong background in systems and behavioral neuroscience to investigate the neural circuit mechanisms underlying learning, memory, and spatial navigation. The ideal candidate will have experience with neural recording or imaging in freely behaving or head fixed animals, quantitative behavioral experiments, and computational analysis of neural and behavioral data. Our laboratory studies the neurobiology of learning and memory, with a particular interest in how neural circuits support adaptive and maladaptive spatial learning and navigation. The postdoctoral fellow will lead research projects integrating in vivo neural recording, behavioral experimentation, and computational analysis to understand how neural activity gives rise to learning and behavior.

The fellow will design and conduct experiments, develop behavioral environments and experimental tools, acquire and analyze complex neural and behavioral datasets, present findings at scientific meetings, prepare manuscripts for publication, and collaborate with investigators across disciplines. The position provides opportunities to develop new experimental and analytical approaches and to pursue increasingly independent research directions within the laboratory's broader scientific program.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in one or more of the following will be an added advantage: neurobiology, electrophysiology, in vivo calcium imaging, or mouse models.
• Previous experiences with animal handling and husbandry are preferred. The successful candidate will maintain timely and accurate laboratory records and coordinate with other lab members to ensure efficient, timely and high-quality results.

Additional responsibilities may include:

• Designs and conducts independent and collaborative research projects in consultation with the Principal Investigator, including experimental planning, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and troubleshooting.
• Performs systems and behavioral neuroscience experiments using approaches such as in vivo calcium imaging and/or electrophysiology in freely behaving mice, quantitative behavioral assays, and computational analysis of neural and behavioral data.
• Designs, builds, and validates behavioral environments, experimental paradigms, and research tools for studies of spatial learning, navigation, and memory.
• Analyzes and interprets complex datasets, including neural population activity and its relationship to behavior, and develops or implements appropriate computational workflows for data processing, visualization, and statistical analysis.
• Uses complementary approaches as appropriate to the research project, which may include viral-genetic circuit mapping, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence and confocal microscopy, and molecular or transcriptomic methods.
• Maintains accurate and reproducible records of experimental procedures, data, analyses, and results, and contributes to effective laboratory data-management practices.
• Communicates research findings through laboratory meetings, scientific presentations, manuscripts, and other scholarly activities.
• Collaborates with laboratory members and multidisciplinary research teams and contributes to the intellectual development of ongoing and future research projects.
• Stays current with advances in systems neuroscience, behavioral neuroscience, neural recording technologies, and computational methods relevant to the laboratory's research.
• Contributes to mentoring and training students or junior research personnel as appropriate.
• Maintains laboratory equipment and work areas and assists with research supplies and laboratory operations as needed.
• Complies with all applicable University, governmental, animal research, laboratory safety, and research-integrity policies and regulations.

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue!
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as...

• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus many more!

Position Summary:

A biomedical postdoc position provides an opportunity for early-career researchers to gain valuable experience, develop independent research skills, and contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge in their field of expertise.

Position Key Accountabilities:

1. Plans and conducts experiments, analyzes data, and prepares publications describing results.
2. Assists in training and mentoring of lab personnel, including graduate students and other trainees.
3. Reads and evaluates literature.
4. Possess interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate and communicate with individuals at all levels.
5. Have strong written and oral communication skills.
6. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education:

Doctoral/Terminal Degree

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.