Research Jobs in Lexington, KY

INTRODUCTION

The Loria Lab at the University of Kentucky is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate the neurogenic mechanisms linking early-life adversity and prenatal exposures to lifelong cardiovascular and metabolic disease.

Our research program focuses on how developmental programming alters the brain–cardiovascular/metabolic axis. The laboratory integrates cardiovascular physiology, neuroscience, adipose biology, myography, radiotelemetry, and metabolic phenotyping to define mechanisms that connect early-life exposures with adult disease.

The successful candidate will lead projects examining how developmental exposures—including early-life stress and prenatal opioid exposure—program neural circuits and peripheral signals that contribute to hypertension and cardiometabolic dysfunction.

POTENTIAL RESEARCH DIRECTIONS INCLUDE:

• Neurogenic hypertension and sympathetic activation following developmental stress or prenatal opioid exposure.
• The role of adipose afferent signaling and adipose–brain communication in obesity-associated and developmentally programmed hypertension.
• Sex-specific neurogenic mechanisms, including interactions among gonadal hormones, adipose signaling, autonomic circuits, and cardiovascular and renal function.
• Neurocircuitry underlying the intersection between cardiovascular dysfunction and opioid vulnerability, including reward and stress-related pathways.

The laboratory's overall approach combines molecular and systems-level physiology, metabolic phenotyping, and in vivo pharmacology to move from mechanistic discovery toward therapeutic strategies.

The Loria Lab is committed to developing independent scientists rather than simply training technical specialists. Postdoctoral fellows will receive individualized mentorship while being encouraged to develop their own scientific questions, establish technical expertise, publish their work, present at national meetings, develop collaborations, and compete for independent funding. The lab has a strong record of trainees progressing to postdoctoral training in top notch institutions. The Loria Lab provides an interdisciplinary environment at the intersection of neuroscience, cardiovascular physiology, metabolism, endocrinology, developmental programming, and substance-use research. Our long-term goal is to uncover how early-life experiences and prenatal exposures shape cardiometabolic disease across the lifespan and to use these mechanistic insights to develop targeted preventive and therapeutic strategies.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

We are particularly interested in candidates with a PhD, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree in neuroscience, cardiovascular physiology, pharmacology, physiology, biomedical sciences, or a related field. Neuroscience training is required. Experience with one or more of the following is desirable: radiotelemetry, electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry/RNAscope, chemogenetics to perform in mostly in rats but also in mice.

Recently graduate students or post docs less than a year in that current position are particularly encouraged to apply with the goal to build a successful transition to independence.

COMPENSATION

• Pay: From $60,789.40 per year

BENEFITS

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

WORK LOCATION

Work Location: In person