STEM OPT Jobs in New Jersey

Position Details

Position Information
Recruitment/Posting Title Postdoctoral Associate

Job Category Staff & Executive - Research (Laboratory/Non-Laboratory)

Department RWJ - Neurosurgery

Overview

New Jersey’s academic health center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) takes an integrated approach to educating students, providing clinical care, and conducting research, all with the goal of improving human health. Aligned with Rutgers University–New Brunswick and collaborating university wide, RBHS includes eight schools, a behavioral health network, and five centers and institutes that focus on cancer treatment and research, neuroscience, advanced biotechnology and medicine, environmental and occupational health, and health care policy and aging research.

Our faculty are teachers, clinicians, and scientists with unparalleled experience who advance medical innovation and provide patient care informed by the latest research findings. We offer an outstanding education in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, biomedical research, and the full spectrum of allied health careers.

Our clinical and academic facilities are located throughout the state—at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, including Piscataway; and at locations in Newark, Scotch Plains, Somerset, Stratford, and other locations. Clinical partners include Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Newark’s University Hospital in Newark, and other affiliates.

Through this community of healers, scientists, and scholars, Rutgers is equipped as never before to transform lives.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate for the department of Neurosurgery at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, the Postdoctoral Associate will be responsible for the design, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of experiments regarding the study of the disease mechanisms of various brain disorders using murine models and iPSC-derived human neurons. The Postdoctoral Associate will perform small animal surgeries, molecular, cellular and electrophysiological experiments. In addition, the Postdoctoral Associate will provide research guidance to residents, junior research assistants, graduate students and student workers in the laboratory. The Postdoctoral Associate is responsible for the scientific operations of the laboratory and submits grant applications to obtain independent research funding.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:
- Performs in vivo animal experiments using mice, performing small craniotomies for injection of chemical and viral vectors, and for implantation of multiple stimulation and recording electrodes.
- Designs, executes, and analyzes research studies using intracranial EEG data from animals.
- Performs advanced signal processing and time–frequency analyses of neural recordings.
- Develops and implements computational pipelines using MATLAB, Python, or similar platforms.
- Leads manuscript preparation for peer-reviewed journals and presents findings at national and international conferences.
- Contributes to grant writing and research proposals (e.g., NIH, foundations).

FLSA Exempt

Salary Details

Minimum Salary 20,000
Mid Range Salary 90,000
Maximum Salary 200,000

Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:
- Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
- Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
- Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
- Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
- Life insurance coverage
- Employee discount programs

Position Status Full Time

Working Hours

Standard Hours 37.50

Work Arrangement

This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.

Union Description Post Docs - Regular Salaried

Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

- PhD, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree in Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Candidates in ABD (all but degree) status will also be considered.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- Excellent written, verbal and computer skills required.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Must be able to work independently and/or collaboratively.
- Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

- One (1) year of experience with high throughput biomedical or neuroscience research laboratory is preferred.
- Background in neuroscience and/or biomedical engineering or computer science, preferred.
- Demonstrated experience with electrophysiology data analysis, preferred.
- Strong quantitative and programming skills (e.g., MATLAB, Python, R) preferred.
- Solid background in signal processing, statistics, or computational neuroscience, preferred.
- Outstanding presentation skills, preferred.
- Experience in graphing, statistical analysis and data management skills, preferred.
- Proficient in Word, Excel, GraphPad, Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator, preferred.
- Prior experience with slice or in vivo electrophysiology works, preferred.
- Experience with multimodal data integration (EEG + imaging/behavior), preferred.
- Track record of peer-reviewed publications, preferred.
- Interest in developing an independent research program, preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

- Physical Demands: Standing, sitting, walking, talking, and hearing. Experience working in a fast-paced environment. Lifting to 25lbs.
- Work Environment: Open office environment/ Lab environment. Moderate noise and foot traffic.

Special Conditions

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements
Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• Do you have a PhD, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree in Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field?
• Yes
• No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

- Resume/CV

Optional Documents

- Cover Letter/Letter of Application