Postdoctoral Research Associate – Electrophysiology and in vivo 2-photon imaging – Zakharenko lab

The Zakharenko laboratory has two major interests: schizophrenia and cortical plasticity. Schizophrenia is a catastrophic disease that affects 1% of the population worldwide. We study this disease in rodent models of rare neurodevelopmental disorders that substantially increase schizophrenia risk.

The overall goal is to identify the mechanisms that underlie schizophrenia symptoms at the neural circuit synapse and molecular level. These symptoms range from auditory hallucinations and cognitive deficits to social withdrawal.
Cortical plasticity is the cellular mechanism that regulates our ability to learn. For example plasticity of the auditory cortex underlies our ability to learn languages or musical skills. Identifying the neuronal or synaptic mechanisms of auditory learning is currently a focus of our research.

Position Responsibilities:

Research tasks include but are not limited to performing 2photon imaging and data mining of the activity of thousands of neurons in awake mice and rats singlecell electrophysiological recordings in brain slices and molecular and biochemical experiments designed to identify the underlying mechanisms of synaptic or neural circuit abnormalities. The laboratory is equipped with two dedicated 2photon mesoscopes (Thorlabs) and Mini2p (Thorlabs) and Inscopix miniature microscopes for imaging large cortical areas and subcortical structures at cellular and subcellular resolution in awake behaving organisms and two dedicated 2photon microscopes for performing singlecell 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).

The successful candidate will have an opportunity to mentor graduate and undergraduate students. The candidate will have ample opportunities for professional development such as gaining grant writing experience.

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 3dimensional brain organoids and assembloids in vivo and ex vivo cellular imaging bioinformatics production of genetically engineered animal models singlecell profiling and advanced image processing and analysis. In addition numerous institutional shared resources support the laboratory by providing expertise and advanced technologies.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

Preference will be given to applicants who have received an M.D. or Ph.D. degree in neuroscience computer science or engineering within the last 3 years.

Special Skills Knowledge and Abilities:

The successful candidate should have published peerreviewed scientific articles using the following techniques: 2photon imaging in vivo singlecell electrophysiology computational neuroscience or machine learningbased data mining. Experience in molecular techniques will be a plus.

About the lab and St. Jude:

The successful candidate will have an opportunity to conduct and publish impactful research that will prepare them for successful academic research careers. The Zakharenko lab has ample resources to conduct advanced research and a strong history of developing postdoctoral fellows into principal investigators or staff scientists.

St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital is a worldclass research institution dedicated to pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases of childhood. It is the first and only National Cancer Institutedesignated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Our 300 faculty members work across the spectrum of basic translational clinical and population science in a highly collaborative multidisciplinary environment that includes a Nobel laureate and members of the National Academy of Science and the National Academy of Medicine. St. Jude is ranked on Fortune Magazines Best Workplaces in Health Care & Biopharma and Glassdoors Best Places to Work and is located in the heart of Memphis Tennessee a vibrant and friendly city at the historic American crossroads of music trade food and culture.

We are in pursuit of the brightest minds in biomedical sciences and we seek individuals who are poised to contribute to our research progress. Other than access to topquality scientists and mentors as a postdoctoral trainee at St. Jude you will have the following:

• A Blend of Academic Freedom and Industrial Efficiency: Access to shared resources and facilities led by expert scientists coupled with innovative technology accelerates research productivity.

• Customized Professional and Career Growth: Experience specifically designed programs to enhance professional growth and career readiness empowering postdocs for success beyond their training. This includes access to grant writing workshops individual development plans teaching and mentoring opportunities nonresearch career advancement programs professional development allowance and so much more.

• Competitive Compensation: Embark on your journey with a competitive salary starting at $72500 per year comprehensive benefits and generous relocation assistance reflecting our commitment to recognize and invest in talent.

• A Sense of Community: St. Jude fosters a vibrant postdoc community that supports a wellbalanced life. A dynamic environment promotes connections and companionship among postdocs from all backgrounds.

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