Post-Doctoral Associate - Neuroscience of Cognitive Flexibility - Translational NeuroEngineering Laboratory

The Translational NeuroEngineering Laboratory (TNEL) in the University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry has an NIH-funded opening for a post-PhD scholar at the intersection of neuroscience, brain stimulation, and behavior. Our laboratory develops technologies to understand and reverse the circuit impairments that cause mental illness, including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, and addictions. More information about our work is at http://www.tnelab.org/ .

Job Duties/Responsibilities:

The job duties (100%) in this project involve measuring and manipulating the activity of cortico-striato-thalamic circuits involved in complex decision-making, and specifically in governing the balance between flexible and rigid decision styles. Tools to be employed (and on which we can train you) include:

*Novel high density probes for recording across multiple cortical/ striatal circuits
*Optogenetic and electrical real-time perturbations, including interventions directly related to clinical deep brain stimulation.
*Parametric computational modeling of behavior to identify the underlying circuit computations. Current projects in our laboratory emphasize task-structured behavior assays, including set shifting, reversal learning, conflict-related decisions, and foraging.

The work has direct relevance to new treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and depression, among other illnesses.

Required Qualifications:

*A doctoral degree in a relevant field. "Relevant" is very broad. Scholars from neuroscience, biomedical engineering, psychology, physics, computer science, and many other disciplines have thrived in our team.
*A strong command of and interest in decision science and/or cognitive neuroscience, evidenced by prior research in this general area published in strong journals.
*Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Much of our work requires explaining complex technical concepts to non-domain-experts.
*Substantial (and documented/proven) capability for independent work, problem-solving, and initiative-taking.
*Interpersonal skills appropriate for collaboration in a very multidisciplinary and highly diverse environment.

Preferred Qualifications:
*Prior experience in either electrophysiology or optical stimulating/recording methods. *Experience working with awake, behaving rodents is essential, which could include work using pharmacologic manipulations.
*Prior experience in highly multi-channel electrophysiology
*Any prior work in mathematical models of decision-making
*Prior work with psychiatric patient populations or the biological mechanisms of mental illness

The Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences consists of an outstanding team of researchers, clinicians, and educators who provide world-class expertise in psychiatric illness, treatment, scholarship, and scientific discovery.

Our mission is to:

• Create and disseminate new knowledge in the science of mental health
• Provide effective and innovative clinical care programs to alleviate the suffering of mental illness and promote mental resilience
• Train the next generation of interprofessional experts who will be leaders in Minnesota and beyond
• Engage in compassionate and vigorous outreach and advocacy on issues relevant to psychiatric illness, treatment, and research

You can find more information on our website at https://med.umn.edu/psychiatry.

Pay Range: The salary range is $61,008 - $74,008, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

In addition, please send a single PDF of cover letter and CV including publication list, and contact information for up to three references to Alik Widge, MD, PhD at awidge@umn.edu . Please do this in addition to uploading the same in this online system.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

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