Postdoctoral Position : Bethesda, MD, United States

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEYDISEASES
INTRAMURAL RESEARCH PROGRAM

Neural Circuit Dissection Underlying Feeding

Postdoctoral Position: Utilizing novel technological tools to functionally map brain circuits controlling feeding behavior

A postdoctoral position is available in the lab of Dr. Michael Krashes at the National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) in Bethesda, MD. The long-term goal of the lab is to bridge homeostatic satiety signals emanating from the hypothalamus with those higher-order networks controlling food-seeking behavior using a combination of genetic and molecular tools to functionally unravel these circuit mechanisms. Projects will generate behavioral and physiological measurements from mice, including food intake, energy expenditure, foraging behavior, competitive choice decisions, in vivo imaging techniques and in vitro electrophysiological recordings in acute brain slices to map synaptic connections and reconstruct complex neuronal networks.

An ideal postdoc candidate will have a strong interest in obesity as a health concern and an interest in dissecting the neural systems controlling food intake as well as developing and implementing electrophysiological and imaging methods and novel analysis tools for understanding how activity in distinct neurons contributes to the divergent aspects of feeding behavior. Post-docs will use an interdisciplinary approach to study the neural correlates of hunger in mice including optogenetics, chemogenetics, electrophysiology, and imaging techniques to find a mechanistic explanation for how central hunger signals and motivational states can influence learning and feeding behavior in both health and disease.

Experience with acute brain slice electrophysiology and optogenetics is a plus.

Requirements:
Successful candidates will have a Ph.D in a relevant field and less than five (5) years of postdoctoral experience. Candidates should be enthusiastic about working in a team environment and collaborating with other labs. Candidates with a strong background in electrophysiological recordings, especially those with experience and familiarity with processing electrophysiological data are encouraged to apply. The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs.