Postdoctoral Associate

Overview of Laboratory: The Laboratory of Systems Neural Development at The George Washington University School of Medicine is uncovering the secret life of the fetal and infant brain. We use advanced electrophysiological methods in animal models of human development. Combined with genetic techniques to manipulate activity during early circuit formation in mice, we ask two fundamental questions: (1) How are visual circuits specialized during early development to generate and transmit spontaneous retinal activity, which is critical for circuit formation? (2) What changes in circuit function must occur to switch the brain from a fetal mode of function to the adult mode, which is critical for normal sensory processing and cognition? One of the major goals of the lab is to create an atlas linking underlying circuit dysfunction to changes in the EEG of preterm and perinatal infants. Our current focus is on the role of the thalamocortical loop, including the GABAergic reticular nucleus, in the amplification and synchronization of spontaneous retinal activity and in the developmental origins of cortical state regulation. To accomplish these goals the lab uses state-of-the-art extra-cellular electrophysiological techniques-including high-density, high-channel count (NeuroPixel, SiNAPS, NeuroNexus) probes-and viral-mediated, sub-type specific neural control in neonatal mice. These techniques are combined with network modeling, imaging and behavioral analysis to generate a complete understanding of circuit development. Brief Description of Position: The lab is recruiting post-doctoral scientists interested in the functional development of thalamocortical circuits in vivo. Candidates must have a PhD in neuroscience or an equivalent field (Physics and Engineering degree holders are highly encouraged. The ideal candidate has some experience with the recording, imaging and/or analysis of neural activity in vivo or in vitro and an interest in learning to apply these techniques to the developing brain. Developmental neuroscientists interested in learning to address early brain activity are also encouraged to apply. Experience coding for neural data analysis using Matlab or Python is helpful. See colonneselab.org for more information. Duties include: 1. Design and implementation of research protocols, including animal preparation, recordings, and analysis. 2. Supervising and mentoring lab personnel, including undergraduates, research technicians, and graduate students. 3. Contributing to the intellectual life of the lab, including participation at lab meetings, journal clubs, and through informal training and consultation with lab members. 4. Preparation and submission of scientific manuscripts and meeting presentations. 5. Application for research funding.

Applicants must have fulfilled all requirements for the award of a PhD or equivalent qualification in a relevant field by the date of employment.

PhD in neuroscience or a relevant field

Employees in this subfamily are responsible for designing and conducting experiments in a controlled laboratory setting. Duties may include performing experiments, collecting, analyzing and reporting data.

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.