Postdoctoral Position in Systems Neuroscience: Sensorimotor Circuits in Non-Human Primates (University of Pittsburgh)

A fully funded postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Omar Gharbawie at the University of Pittsburgh. We study the structural and functional organization of brain circuits underlying sensorimotor control and cognition. Our lab also seeks to understand the neural basis of resting state networks. Our investigations use awake/behaving monkeys that are trained to perform manual tasks or studied during rest.

Our approach combines complementary methods across scales:

• Recording: high-density electrophysiology, intrinsic signal optical imaging, and fMRI
• Causal manipulation: microstimulation, optogenetics, and pharmacological inactivation
• Anatomy: tract tracing, cytoarchitectonics, spatial transcriptomics, and MRI

The postdoctoral fellow will lead research projects using several of these methods, with the opportunity to shape new directions in the lab. Collaboration and teamwork are central to our work.

Training environment
Our lab is housed in the Systems Neuroscience Center at the University of Pittsburgh. Lab members have access to resources through the School of Medicine, School of Engineering, and the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition (CNBC), which is joint between Pitt and Carnegie Mellon University. Pittsburgh is one of the strongest hubs for primate neuroscience, with 27 active research groups, most within walking distance of each other. The community offers extensive training and professional development opportunities including grant writing and career planning. Postdocs are strongly encouraged to engage with our weekly seminars, distinguished lecture series, and neuroscience-related workshops.

Qualifications

• PhD in neuroscience, engineering, computer science, or a related field by the start of the appointment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Preferred: experience with electrophysiology, optical imaging, fMRI, psychophysics, in vivo animal work, or neural data analysis. Candidates strong in one area (including computational backgrounds) are encouraged to apply; we will provide training in the others.

The position is fully supported by NIH funding awarded to the lab. The stipend is competitive and commensurate with experience and accomplishments, following NIH postdoctoral guidelines. Health insurance and other benefits are provided.

Please email Dr. Gharbawie at omar@pitt.edu with the subject line "Postdoc application" and include:
1. Curriculum vitae
2. A statement (12 pages) describing your previous research, interests for postdoctoral work, and career goals
3. Names and contact information for three references (we will contact references only for finalists)

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.