Postdoctoral Research Associate -Zakharenko Lab – Mechanisms of Schizophrenia

A postdoctoral associate position is available for a highly motivated individual interested in the mechanisms of schizophrenia. The successful candidate will lead a research project dedicated to identifying the abnormal neuronal circuits, cell biological and molecular mechanisms in mouse, rat, and human models of rare copy number variations that confer the highest genetic risks of schizophrenia.

Preference will be given to applicants with Ph.D. in neuroscience or related fields, who have a strong background in cell biology, in vivo or slice electrophysiology, 2-photon imaging of head-fixed animals, molecular techniques, and strong communication skills.

The laboratory is equipped with multiple electrophysiological and 2-photon setups, mesoscopes, Mini-2p, and other miniature microscopes for imaging large cortical areas and subcortical structures at cellular and subcellular resolution in awake animals (Chun et al, Science 2014; Blundon et. al. Science 2017; Davenport et al., Cell 2022; Bayazitov et al., Cell Reports 2024, Eom et al., Nature Communications 2024).

The candidate will benefit from a highly collaborative work environment in which a diverse team of 15 researchers is focusing efforts toward understanding the mechanisms of schizophrenia and psychotic behavior at the levels of neural circuits and 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 testing rodent behavior, producing genetically engineered animal models and 3-dimensional human brain organoids, in vivo and ex vivo imaging of cells, advanced image processing and analysis, single-cell profiling, and bioinformatics. In addition, numerous institutional shared resources and core facilities support the laboratory by providing expertise and state-of-the-art technologies.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital offers an excellent salary and benefits package and is an equal opportunity employer. Interested applicants should send their CVs and the names and addresses of 3 references to:

Stanislav Zakharenko, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Developmental Neurobiology, MS 322

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105

stanislav.zakharenko@stjude.org

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