Posting Details

Please see Special Instructions for more details on GW jobs website.

Appointments are limited-term and are designed for those who have recently received a doctorate. Appointments are made to academic departments with the approval of the department head and may require senior officer approval. Appointments are usually for not less than one term and are normally not renewed beyond a total of five years. This appointment is not intended for long-term, indefinite, or career appointments.

I. POSITION INFORMATION

Job Description Summary

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.

Duties Include

Design and implementation of research protocols, including animal preparation,

recordings, and analysis.

Supervising and mentoring lab personnel, including undergraduates, research

technicians, and graduate students.

Contributing to the intellectual life of the lab, including participation at lab meetings,

journal clubs, and through informal training and consultation with lab members.

Preparation and submission of scientific manuscripts and meeting presentations.
Application for research funding.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Desired Qualifications

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.

Hiring Range $65,000-$95,000

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package for Postdoc Associates and Scholars that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, well-being and various voluntary benefits. Postdoc Scholars may also be eligible for retirement savings and tuition programs. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/postdoc_benefits.

II. POSITION INFORMATION

Posting Number P010089

Job Open Date 02/01/2025

Job Close Date 02/14/2025

Part-time / Full-time PF Post Doc Full Time Exempt

Total Hours per Week 40-50

Work Schedule Monday through Friday, 9:00 - 6:00

Campus Location Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department: School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS)

Expected duration of appointment 1 Year

Position Designation On-Campus

Special Instructions to Applicants

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.

Required Background Check Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

EEO Statement

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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.

The George Washington University

Latest Jobs

Postdoctoral Associate