Postdoctoral Fellow

Job Posting Title:

Postdoctoral Fellow

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Hiring Department:

Department of Neuroscience

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Dec 31, 2025

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Location:

AUSTIN, TX

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Job Details:

General Notes

The Elston Lab at the University of Texas at Austin is searching for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to explore the neural foundations of cognitive control in non-human primates. Our goal is to understand how the prefrontal cortex interacts with other areas to facilitate aspects of cognitive control related to attention, decision-making, and self-control. Through understanding these mechanisms, we aim to create brain-computer interfaces that will enable us to directly interact with the physiology of cognition as it unfolds in the brain.

The successful candidate will perform large-scale, multi-area neural recordings using Neuropixels and help develop the next generation of closed-loop brain-computer interfaces. We are searching for a driven and clear-minded researcher committed to contributing to a multidisciplinary research program that connects extensive neurophysiological recordings across multiple brain areas with machine learning and neuro-engineering in awake, behaving non-human primates. This position promises a vibrant and cooperative atmosphere within the broad and diverse neuroscience community at the University of Texas at Austin. The Elston Lab is committed to career development and actively supports diversity in science.

As a newly established lab, this role offers a unique opportunity for postdocs interested in gaining experience in building up a research laboratory. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in establishing the lab, providing valuable experience that will be beneficial for those aspiring to set up their own laboratories in the future.

This is a full-time, benefits eligible position. The University of Texas at Austin offers a competitive benefits package. More information here: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefit

Purpose

To provide research support in the lab of Dr. Thomas Elston for the Department of Neuroscience.

Responsibilities

• Train non-human primates to perform cognitively demanding tasks.

• Perform multi-site Neuropixel recordings.

• Develop and implement machine-learning pipelines to analyze neurophysiological data.

• Design and implement closed-loop electrical microstimulation protocols to influence cognition in awake, behaving non-human primates.

• Present work at leading conferences in the field and publish papers in top-tier journals.

• Help establish a fun, exciting, and cutting-edge laboratory

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) field, received within the last three years.

• Proficiency in data analysis with either Python, MATLAB, or R.

• A healthy attitude towards the use of animals in research.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills (oral and written).

• Prior experience with non-human primates or other animals in research.

Salary Range

$61,008 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work around chemical fumes.

• May work around standard office conditions.

• May work around biohazards.

• May work around chemicals.

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• Brief Statement of Research Interests

• The names and contact information of three references

• Degree confirmation document, such as diploma, received within the last three years

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that AL