Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs in Tennessee
Postdoctoral Researcher jobs in Tennessee are concentrated in academic research, biomedical sciences, and STEM disciplines, with the state's universities and medical centers driving steady hiring across career stages from first postdoc to senior research associate. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville are the primary hiring metros, anchored by institutions like Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The most in-demand specialties are cancer biology, infectious disease, and computational 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 34 Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Postdoctoral Researcher JobsPostdoctoral Researcher Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Postdoctoral Researcher 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 researcher jobs across Tennessee.
- PhD in a relevant scientific discipline required or expected before start date
- Demonstrated research experience with peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations
- Proficiency with laboratory techniques or computational tools specific to the research area
- Ability to independently design and execute experiments or data analysis pipelines
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for grant writing and collaboration
- Experience mentoring graduate students or contributing to undergraduate research programs
Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a postdoctoral researcher in Tennessee?
You become a postdoctoral researcher in Tennessee by completing a doctoral degree and securing a postdoc appointment at a university, medical center, or research institute. Tennessee does not require a state license for this role. Most positions are filled through direct application to principal investigators at institutions like Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee system, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, often supported by a strong publication record and research statement.
Which companies hire postdoctoral researchers in Tennessee?
Companies currently hiring postdoctoral researchers 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 nationally recognized medical centers makes it one of the more active postdoc hiring markets in the Southeast.
Which Tennessee cities have the most postdoctoral researcher jobs?
Memphis and Murfreesboro have the most postdoctoral researcher openings in Tennessee. Nashville leads because of Vanderbilt University's research enterprise and the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Memphis draws heavily from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and Knoxville is anchored by the main University of Tennessee campus and proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Are there remote postdoctoral researcher jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. Postdoctoral research is predominantly hands-on and lab-based, making fully remote appointments uncommon. About 0% of postdoctoral researcher openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to be computational, bioinformatics, or data-intensive positions that do not require a physical laboratory presence.
How can I get hired as a postdoctoral researcher in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to principal investigators whose published research aligns with your doctoral dissertation work, even before your degree is conferred. Tennessee institutions like Vanderbilt, UT Knoxville, and St. Jude regularly accept applicants in the final semester of their PhD. A strong research statement, one or two first-author manuscripts, and letters from your dissertation committee are the credentials that open doors at these institutions over candidates with longer but less focused records.
Where can I find and apply to postdoctoral researcher jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to postdoctoral researcher jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current Tennessee openings. Search the listings, find roles that match your research background and career stage, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 34 Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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