Postdoctoral fellow in Neurocognitive Aging - #Faculty

Audrey Branch's lab, newly launched in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences at Johns Hopkins University, is currently accepting applications for a postdoctoral research fellow who will further diverse interdisciplinary studies in a rat model of cognitive aging in a well-established and highly regarded research program which includes Drs. James Knierim, Paul Worley, Alfredo Kirkwood, and Ni Zhao as close collaborators. Our ongoing research in rodents is focused on the functional properties of hippocampal circuits using behavioral, neural recording, and cellular/anatomical methods. The research program provides a highly collaborative environment among an outstanding group of senior scientists in basic research and contact with direct translational clinical applications in age-related memory impairment in humans and prodromal Alzheimer's disease in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Current research projects investigate (1) the relationship between excitation/inhibition balance in the aging brain and cognitive performance, (2) mechanistic characterization of novel therapeutic approaches to improve cognition in aging, (3) single nucleus sequencing for identification of selectively vulnerable hippocampal cell types, (4) viral targeting and manipulation of hippocampal circuitry. Opportunities will be provided for training in a variety of neuroscience methods including animal models of cognitive aging, approaches for translational neuroscience, molecular biology, viral targeting, computational approaches for sequencing analysis, and whole brain clearing (iDISCO), imaging, and analysis. The postdoctoral fellow will be involved in all aspects of the research projects, including study design, collection of data (behavioral, pharmacological, imaging, coding), data analysis, and manuscript preparation and will be an author on all publications/studies on which they worked.

Applicants should have a strong neuroscience background and familiarity with relevant methods for systems neuroscience research. The applicant should be highly motivated, have excellent communication skills, and enjoy working independently as well as collaboratively. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Cellular Biology, or a related discipline when they start.

Successful applicants will have demonstrated research interests in experimental cognitive neuroscience, strong experimental and statistical training, and ability to write papers, grants, and protocols. Strong computational skills and experience are highly desired. A record of publishing research is preferred but not required.

The initial appointment is for one year to be renewed yearly depending on mutual satisfaction and availability of funds. Salary is based on NIH scale (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-26-044.html) plus benefits.

Salary: $63,480-$65,000

Applicants should submit the following materials via Interfolio:

• Curriculum Vitae;

• Statement of Research Interest;

• Contact information for three references.

The applicant should be prepared for virtual interviews via Zoom. Only applicants considered for employment will be contacted.

Salary Range

The referenced salary range represents the minimum and maximum salaries for this position and is based on Johns Hopkins University's good faith belief at the time of posting. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. The actual compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary and will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, internal equity, market conditions, education/training and other factors, as reasonably determined by the University.

Total Rewards

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Equal Opportunity Employer

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Pre-Employment Information

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Background Checks

After receiving a conditional offer, the successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check including education verification. When deciding whether a candidate's conviction history is job-disqualifying, the University considers the nature and gravity of the offense, the time that has passed since the conviction, and the nature of the job being sought.

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Vaccine Requirements

Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine.

Exceptions to the seasonal flu vaccine or COVID-19 vaccine (for SOM) requirement(s) may be provided to individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs or medical conditions that preclude them from receiving the vaccine. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional vaccine requirements may apply, depending upon your campus. Please contact the hiring department for more information.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those candidates who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

Job Type: Full Time