Post-Doctoral Associate: Pathophysiology of PD

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Job ID376342

LocationTwin Cities

Job FamilyAcademic

Full/Part TimeFull-Time

Regular/TemporaryRegular

Job Code9546

Employee ClassAcad Prof and Admin

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About the Job

Position Summary: The Neuromodulation Research Center (NMRC), at the University of Minnesota, seeks a postdoctoral associate to study the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD), in a progressive, preclinical, MPTP rhesus macaque model of disease progression. In particular, we are looking for candidates with interest and experience with high density recording approaches, building on recent work in our lab establishing acute and semi-chronic Neuropixel implantation approaches targeting basal ganglia, thalamus and cortex. Neural recordings are acquired across the basal ganglia thalamo-cortical circuit to examine changes in cell population dynamics, oscillatory activity, and connectivity as motor signs develop and become more severe, and as they improve with treatment conditions. These studies aim to provide the rationale for development of neuromodulatory approaches designed to reshape network activity.

Under the supervision of Luke Johnson, PhD and Jerrold Vitek, MD PhD, the associate will work collaboratively within the NMRC on an existing project supporting the collection and analysis of large-scale electrophysiological data sets. Trainees will also have opportunities for clinical exposure through our robust deep brain stimulation and movement disorders clinical research program. Candidates may refer to the below papers for context relating to ongoing experiments:

Bauer et al 2023 J. Neural Eng: https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/acd0d7

Ning et al. 2026 bioRxiv: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.04.21.719912

Mohanty et al. 2025 PNAS: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2510287122

Johnson et al. 2021 Movement disorders: https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.28566

Work Schedule: Hybrid, M-F, 8:30am - 5:00pm

Duties/Responsibilities:

75% Research Duties: Neural data collection, analysis; experimental and method development related to the use of Neuropixel recording probes in a preclinical paradigm. Analyze single and multi-unit activity derived from distributed brain regions to assess how neural circuits coordinate in the PD condition during a multiplicity of behaviors and conditions.

10% Supervision and Project Management: Manage direct junior lab members and volunteers to ensure timely completion of project aims

10% Career Development: Professional skills, leadership training, technical skills development, weekly mentor meetings

5% Travel and Presentations: Dissemination of research via abstracts, posters, and papers: may require travel away from the University of Minnesota campus

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

PhD in Neuroscience, BME, ECE, or similar field

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with others

Strong quantitative background and signal processing expertise appropriate for the analysis of neural activity

Strong record of presenting research results through publications and conference abstracts

Preferred Qualifications:

Programming in MATLAB / Python

Experience with electrophysiological recording and analysis techniques, particularly high density recordings such as Neuropixel

About the Department

The Neuromodulation Research Center (NMRC) involves collaborations across multiple fields including Neurology, Neurosurgery, Biomedical Engineering, Radiology, and Biostatistics; melding the expertise of a diverse team into a unique translational research model. More information about our center can be found here: https://nmrc.umn.edu/

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $65,480 - $79,076 annually; 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

How To Apply

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.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected].

Diversity

Employment Requirements

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.

About University of Minnesota

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.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.

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.

Minimum Education Required

Bachelor Degree

Minimum Experience Required

None

Shift

First (Day)

Number of Openings

1

Public Transportation Accessible

Yes

Veterans Encouraged to Apply

No

Physical Required

Yes

Drug Test Required

Yes

Compensation

$11.41 / Hourly

Postal Code

55455

Job Type

Full Time

Place of Work

On-site

Requisition ID

376342

Job Benefits

Not specified