Post-Doctoral Fellow

Post-Doctoral FellowVirginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU's sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to an outstanding education of professional and graduate students as well as to cutting edge research. The atmosphere of the department is one of congeniality and collaboration. Alumni of the department have achieved prominent roles in academia, industry, and government. The goal of the department is to contribute to improved health through a better understanding of the mechanism of action of safer and more effective therapies. The education of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who have the potential to become independent, highly regarded scientists and excellent teachers in pharmacology is a priority.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 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, and several behavioral assays, including drug self-administration, conditioned place preference, memory, fear extinction, depression, and pain-related behaviors.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. Candidate must be able to analyze data, write publishable manuscripts, and communicate and work effectively with others in collaborative efforts.Core Responsibilities:Experimental plans, conducting experiments based on the hypothesis and goalsData analysis and presentation, manuscript preparationsAnimal colony maintenance as neededLiterature searchQualifications:Minimum QualificationsPh.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, or a commitment to do so as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at VCU.Preferred QualificationsResearch 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 $63,480. FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt. ORP Eligible: Yes.