Postdoctoral Researcher

Postdoctoral Researcher – Neural Circuits of Stress Vulnerability and Resilience

Anacker Lab | Columbia University & New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI)

The Anacker Lab at Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) is seeking a highly motivated, independent, full-time Postdoctoral Researcher to investigate the neural circuit mechanisms underlying individual differences in stress vulnerability and resilience with a specific focus on how early life adversity shapes hippocampal and corticolimbic circuit function to influence fear behavior and cognitive flexibility.

Research Approach

The successful candidate will combine:

• Mouse models of early life adversity and chronic adult stress
• Circuit tracing approaches
• Projection-specific optogenetic and chemogenetic (DREADD) manipulations
• In vivo Ca2+ imaging (miniature microscopes and fiber photometry) in freely moving mice
• Neurotransmitter biosensor imaging in freely moving mice
• Behavioral paradigms assessing fear behavior and cognitive flexibility

Responsibilities

• Perform stereotaxic surgeries for viral injections and optical fiber/GRIN lens implantation
• Conduct mouse behavioral experiments in stress and cognitive tasks
• Perform projection-specific optogenetic and chemogenetic manipulations
• Conduct in vivo Ca2+ imaging in freely moving mice with miniature microscopes and fiber photometry experiments
• Analyze imaging and behavioral datasets using MATLAB or Python
• Contribute to manuscript preparation and grant development

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Neuroscience or related field
• Strong experience with rodent behavior and stereotaxic surgeries
• Experience with viral circuit tools (optogenetics and/or DREADDs)
• Proficiency in data analysis and statistics (R, SPSS, GraphPad, or equivalent)
• Working knowledge of MATLAB and/or Python
• High level of motivation, interest in the neural basis of behavior and psychiatric disorders, independence, organization, and scientific rigor

Environment

The postdoc will work within a dynamic and collaborative research team in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University and NYSPI. The environment is highly interactive, with strong opportunities for interdisciplinary and translational collaboration and professional development.