Post-Doctoral Fellow

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

Benefits --------

All VCU employee types are eligible for a wide array of benefits to support you during your employment at VCU. Consult the benefits website for information on benefits eligibility according to employee type.

Unit -----

School Of Medicine MBU Department Pharmacology and Toxicology

Duties & Responsibilities -------------------------

A post-doctoral position is available immediately to study the regulatory mechanisms of transporters underlying addiction anxiety autism depression OCD and other brain disorders. The successful candidate will perform in vivo studies using knock-out and knock-in mice parallel with cell culture and brain tissue studies to investigate the contribution of GPCR-linked regulated transporter in normal behavior and the consequence of dysregulated transporter regulation in brain disorders.

Techniques used in this study include:

• Cell culture
• Western blots
• Trafficking
• Molecular biology
• Rodent survival
• Brain surgery
• Intracranial infusion
• Pharmacological and genetic-viral reagents
• DREADD-mediated manipulations of neuronal activity
• Microscopy
• Several behavioral assays including:
• Drug self-administration
• Conditioned place preference
• Memory
• Fear extinction
• Depression
• Pain-related behaviors

For additional information and a complete bibliography, refer to the websites:

• https://pharmtox.vcu.edu/about-our-team/ Amanda-Ramamoorthy-PhD.html
• https://pharmtox.vcu.edu/about-our-team/Lankupalle-D-Jayanthi-PhD.html

Salary will be competitive based on experience. The applicant is also expected to work during weekends since several behavioral assays need continued attention to laboratory animals.

Core Responsibilities ---------------------

• Experimental plans: conducting experiments based on the hypothesis and goals
• Data analysis and presentation: manuscript preparations
• Animal colony maintenance as needed
• Literature search

Qualifications --------------

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in biotechnology, neuroscience, molecular biology, biological sciences, behavioral pharmacology, or the equivalent with experience in animal studies and cell biology
• Verbal and written communication skills in English
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences

Preferred Qualifications:

• Research experience utilizing rodents for behavioral assays, biochemical, and molecular analysis, and rodent surgery

This is a restricted position with no set end date and continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.

Salary Range ------------

NIH minimum starting at $62,232

FSA Exemption Status -------------------

Exempt

Hours per Week --------------

ORP Eligible ------------

Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement -------------------------

Other

Rank -----

Non Faculty

Contact Email -------------

SOMHR@vcuhealth.org