UNIV- PostDoctoral Scholar Addiction Neuroscientist- Department of Anesthesia

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Job Description:

Addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by loss of control over drug use. Drug-associated cues can initiate drug use, even after protracted abstinence, and the nucleus accumbens core (NAcore) serves as a portal whereby cue-induced activity in cortical and limbic projections initiates goal directed behaviors, including drug seeking. Accordingly, synaptic plasticity within these glutamatergic projections to the NAcore strongly contributes to drug relapse vulnerability. A common rodent model of cocaine relapse is the self-administration reinstatement model, in which rats or mice are trained to press a lever to receive an intravenous infusion of cocaine. During self-administration, drug infusions are paired to discrete light and tone cues and these cues become conditioned stimuli through Pavlovian learning. After self-administration, the rodent enters a period of extinction training in which lever pressing has no programmed consequences and drug-seeking behavior decreases rapidly. Relapse is then modeled by reintroducing the conditioned stimulus, robustly reinstating drug-seeking behavior without achieving drug access. 

This post-doctoral  role in the anesthesia department will consist of rodent addiction research including rodent behavioral studies, rodent handling and husbandry as well as rodent surgery. This position will also include a significant amount of data analysis and grant and manuscript writing. The position will be initially established for a minimum of one year, with continued employment on subsequent years based off of performance evaluations and specific milestones (project completions, presentations and grant and paper submissions).  The position and duties outlined above will allow the post doctor fellow the education and skill set development necessary to become independently funded.  

The candidate should be prepared to work on a set of research and projects focused on astroglia and their role in addiction. These experiments take place both within the Scofield lab and within additional collabortive environments within labs at the Medical University of South Carolina. The applicant should be willing to work alongside other research staff and take direction from Dr. Scofield and other members of the laboratory, be prepared to assist in the preparation of papers and grants and be prepared to identify opportunities and develop their own skills in all these areas. 

Job Duties:

35%

• Conducts self-administration behavioral studies, monitoring catheter placement and performing surgery as needed to support this work

• Manages mouse breeding colonies to maintain appropriate levels of transgenic animals as needed for rodent studies

Performs microscopy (confocal or in-vivo 2-photon)

35%

• Keeps accurate and detailed records of experiments and results, and identifies and

troubleshoots unexpected results.

• Observes and complies with safety standards and procedures.

• Works to develop and secure research funding.

30%

• Works with a broad range of collaborators to deliver research in the area of addiction neuroscience

• Identifies opportunities for publications and research funding.

• Analyses and presents data, and prepares abstracts and manuscripts for dissemination.

• Leads and collaborates on peer-reviewed journal submissions.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS 

Knowledge of rodent behavioral assays 

Experience in bench science, notebook keeping, pipetting, solution and reagent preparation and data analysis  

Experience with rodent neuroanatomy and histological preparations 

Extensive knowledge and skills using PC/Macintosh applications, especially spreadsheets, word processing, PowerPoint, and statistical analysis packages.  

Knowledge of MATLAB and Python is not a requirement but is considered a significant strength of an applicant 

Must have excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills. 

Ability to work independently, be self-motivated and able to adapt to evolving needs 

Ability to organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously. 

Ability to quickly develop and maintain productive relationships with team members. 

Ability to complete work assignments, accurately, timely, and with minimal supervision. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Completes research projects from surgery to rodent behavior, data collection and data analysis with relative autonomy  

Works with a broad range of collaborators to deliver research in the area of addiction neuronscience. 

Identifies opportunities for publications and research funding. 

Analyses and presents data, and prepares abstracts and manuscripts for dissemination. 

Leads and collaborates on peer-reviewed journal submissions. 

Keeps accurate and detailed records of experiments and results, and identifies and troubleshoots unexpected results. 

Observes and complies with safety standards and procedures. 

Works to develop and secure research funding. 

Minimum Requirements:

PhD

Additional Requirements:

PhD level degree in psychiatry or biology. Should be eligible for membership in the Society for Neuroscience, or other organization affiliated with the International Neuroscience. 

Physical Requirements:

Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent) Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work in all cold temperature extremes, i.e. spot coolers. (Frequent) Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to perform 'pinching' operations. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous) Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous) Possess good finger dexterity. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 15 lbs., unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift objects, up to 15 lbs., from floor level to height of 72 inches, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lower objects, up to 15 lbs., from height of 72 inches to floor level, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to push/pull objects, up to 15 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift and carry objects up to 15 lbs. a distance of five (5) floors and to outlying buildings. (Frequent) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to be qualified physically (by medical personnel) for respirator use, initially and annually. Ability to work alone in isolated areas, such as darkrooms. (Frequent)
Additional New Requirements: Ability to obtain and maintain a valid drivers license. Computer literacy. Ability to work rotating shifts as required. Ability to work overtime as required. Ability to learn and use new processes, tools and equipment as required.

Additional Job Description

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If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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