Neurobiology- Postdoctoral Scholar

Position Information Job Title Department Name School/College School/College Academic Joint Departments Job Description The main goal of our research is to identify the neural circuits controlling motivated behaviors, primarily those controlling drug seeking. We are especially interested in understanding how these circuits change as the animal takes more and more drug over time, and how these changes alter the ability of drug-associated cues to trigger relapse. We are also interested in circuits controlling the inhibition of learned behaviors and the active suppression of motivational impulses. Using preclinical self-administration models of addiction (substance use disorder), we have discovered the infralimbic prefrontal cortex is a key component of the neural circuitry responsible for inhibiting drug seeking. Much of our work focuses on neuroanatomical inputs and outputs to/from this brain region. We use optogenetic and chemogenetic viral strategies to manipulate neuronal activity within defined neural pathways and cell types and fiber photometry to record neuronal population activity with calcium sensors (GCaMP, RCaMP) in vivo during behavioral tasks. In addition to these techniques, the lab also routinely uses immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy to visualize and image the neurons we manipulate, as well as perform neuroanatomical tracing and Fos expression analyses (Fos = a biochemical marker for neuronal activation). Required Qualifications PhD in a biological science Posting Number Posting Number PF1076P Open Date Open Date 08/28/2026 Close Date Open Until Filled No UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, religion, and veteran’s status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB’s Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix . Special Instructions for the Position A pre-employment background check investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment. Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). * Did you complete postdoctoral training at another institution? Please provide name of institution and duration of tenure (e.g., month/year-month/year) (Open Ended Question) * Did you complete postdoctoral training at UAB in Birmingham? Please provide duration of tenure (e.g., month/year-month/year) (Open Ended Question) Documents Needed to Apply Required Documents Curriculum Vitae Transcripts (Unofficial Only) Optional Documents The University of Alabama at Birmingham 1720 2nd Ave South Birmingham, AL 35294 Main Switchboard: View phone number on click.appcast.io Hearing Impaired/TDD: View phone number on click.appcast.io UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, religion, and veteran’s status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB’s Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix . #J-18808-Ljbffr University of Alabama at Birmingham