Postdoctoral Associate - Neurophysiology of Decisions

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

The job duties in this project involve measuring and manipulating the activity of cortico-striatal 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 silicon probes (Neuropixels, UCLA, maybe NeuroNexus) for recording hundreds of simultaneous channels across the striatal circuitry
• Optogenetic and electrical real-time perturbations, including interventions directly related to clinical deep brain stimulation.
• Innovative behavioral assays and parametric computational modeling of behavior to identify the underlying circuit computations.

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

The majority of this position's work will be with animals (rats), but we are a translational lab that also does human/clinical work, and you may be involved in preliminary human translation if that is of interest. Depending on your interests, there may also be opportunities/exposure to:

• Medical device development and commercialization
• Neural simulation and modeling paradigms
• The clinical neurobiology of mental illness

The emphasis of this role will be preparing you to be successful in the future as an independent researcher and planning to move on after about 3-4 years. There would be a strong emphasis on submitting competitive applications for fellowships and other grants on the pathway to independence.

This position is open to researchers of any nationality. We will happily sponsor a visa, but please tell us up front about your needs and current status.

We are similarly very interested in hearing from researchers from non-traditional or underrepresented backgrounds, and who may not have had all of the exposures/training mentioned above, but who are eager to learn and willing to work hard to master new skills. The UMN neuroscience community is committed to reversing historical inequities, and you will find a welcoming and supportive community here.

Required Qualifications:

• A doctoral degree required. 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, evidenced by prior research in this general area.
• 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 experimental work in animal or human neuroscience, especially electrophysiology in any species
• Any prior work in mathematical models of decision-making
• Prior work with psychiatric patient populations or the biological mechanisms of mental illness
• Skills with electronics or computer hardware, whether design or repair
• Experience with brain-computer interfaces and/or brain decoding paradigms

Performing the job duties will require:

• Standing or sitting for extended periods
• Performing fine motor tasks under visual guidance
• Independent analysis and interpretation of technical data
• Complex technical communication in the English language
• Professional interactions with a diverse body of colleagues and research participants
• Acquisition and maintenance of all necessary requirements (e.g., background checks, immunizations, institutional trainings) for work with animal subjects, particularly outbred rats.

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:

• 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

To learn more about the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences please visit: https://med.umn.edu/psychiatry

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 to your online application please send a single PDF of cover letter, CV including publication list, and contact information for up to three references to Alik Widge, MD, PhD at . 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-UOHR (8647).

The Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences is diligent in fostering excellence in teaching, research and clinical service. We recognize excellence is reached through the vibrant exchange of ideas, which thrives when people from a multitude of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives and viewpoints collaborate. We uphold an environment of inclusivity, equal opportunity and accessibility. We are committed to creating and maintaining an atmosphere where similarities and differences are celebrated, mutual respect is cultivated and intellectual growth is fueled. To learn more about the work our Department is doing in this area please visit: https://med.umn.edu/psychiatry/about/diversity.

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.