Post-Doc Research Associate

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities and is among is the top ten research universities in the nation for federal research expenditures as well as for federally funded social and behavioral sciences research and development.

Here at Carolina, our highly skilled postdocs play a vital role in our research enterprise and towards our overall commitment to research excellence. Across many disciplines, postdocs contribute to the intellectual vitality of the University. They provide innovative ideas and perspectives, foster a stimulating research environment and advance knowledge within their fields. Postdocs are crucial members of our scientific research workforce, contributors to our research outputs and an important reason why Carolina is one of the leading public research institutions in the country.

UNC-Chapel Hill offers postdocs comprehensive medical and vision coverage, paid leave, and benefits and services that support professional development and a healthy work/life balance. Chapel Hill regularly ranks as one of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, a reputation guided by the diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.

Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.

Education: We prepare tomorrow`s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.

Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.

The Kato Lab (https://katolab-unc.org) in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks a talented, highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a background in neuroscience. Our primary research goal is to understand the circuit mechanisms underlying how our brain synthesizes auditory information to extract complex sound features, such as our language. Towards this goal, we focus on mouse auditory cortex as the model system, and use multiple cutting-edge techniques in behaving animals to dissect the circuits that connect sound inputs to behavioral outputs. Through these experiments, we aim to bridge the gap between our knowledge at synaptic level and systems level, and elucidate the neuronal underpinnings of sound processing.

The successful candidate will investigate circuit mechanisms underlying information processing in the auditory cortex. The research would involve the use of in vivo techniques in mice, including two-photon calcium imaging, electrophysiology, and optogenetics. Responsibilities would include, but are not limited to, in vivo two-photon calcium imaging, electrophysiological recordings, behavioral testing, and histological analysis. The position also requires data analysis using programming languages such as MATLAB, as well as participation in laboratory meetings.

A Ph.D. in neuroscience-related field is required.

* Experience with programming languages such as MATLAB and the ability to perform data analysis.
* Ability and willingness to conduct neurophysiological experiments using mice as a model system.
* Interact cross-functionally: work with people across the team to find creative solutions and deliver them.
* Skilled at data visualization and presentation: The candidate may be called upon to present work at national and international research conferences as well as to internal and local external stakeholders.

Candidates with prior experience in electrophysiology, imaging, and/or engineering, as well as at least one first-author publication in a related field are preferred.

For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University's Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at (919) 962-9982 or send an email to opahr@unc.edu.

Please note: The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.