Scientist or Associate Scientist - Computational Neuroscience

Performs and/or coordinates a wide range of laboratory research procedures and conducts a spectrum of complex support tasks and projects determined by the field and scope of the particular research study. Performs a variety of laboratory techniques independently and presents results.

A Scientist or Associate Scientist position is available for a highly motivated data scientist with a background in Computational Neuroscience to analyze complex time-series data from ongoing 2-photon microscopy experiments and animal behavior studies. This position is well-suited for an individual interested in transitioning from a postdoctoral position to a more stable, long-term position.

The successful candidate will lead an independent research project dedicated to identifying abnormal neuronal activities in circuits of murine models of 22q11.2 and 3q29 deletion syndromes, two rare conditions that confer the highest genetic risks of schizophrenia.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement advanced algorithms for analyzing calcium or voltage imaging and behavior data

• Create robust analysis pipelines to process large-scale time-series datasets

• Test and develop new methodologies to extract meaningful patterns from complex neural data

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary researchers to translate findings into biological insights

• Contribute to publications and presentations of research findings

• Performs other related duties as assigned in order to meet the goals of the department and institution.

• Maintains regular and predictable attendance

Qualifications:

• PhD in computational neuroscience, physics, mathematics, computer science, or related fields.

• Demonstrated hands-on experience with machine learning techniques.

• Strong programming skills (Python preferred).

• Experience analyzing time-series data, preferably from neuroimaging or behavioral studies.

• Knowledge of signal processing and statistical analysis.

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a collaborative environment.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant scientific area is required

Scientist Minimum Experience:

• Ten (10) years relevant work experience is required

• Eight (8) years of relevant work experience is required with a Master's degree

• Five (5) years of relevant work experience is required with a PhD

Minimum Experience:

• 7 + years of research experience is required

• 5 + years of research experience is required with a Master’s degree

• 2 + years of research experience is required with a PHD

• Experience leading and supporting research experiments preferred

• Some experience leading lab and scientific project coordination, maintenance, and other research support activities preferred

• Experience in guiding and training other laboratory personnel preferred

• Proven performance in earlier role/comparable role

Preference will be given to applicants who have a strong background in leveraging cutting-edge AI and machine-learning techniques to solve complex problems in Neuroscience. The candidate also will benefit from an outstanding, highly collaborative work environment in which a diverse team of researchers is focusing efforts toward understanding the mechanisms of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disease behaviors at the levels of neural circuits and individual neurons, synapses, and molecules.

The Zakharenko laboratory is part of the Department of Developmental Neurobiology, which houses specialized departmental shared resources, including an integrated support structure for in vivo and ex vivo neuroimaging, behavioral phenotyping, computational neuroscience, genetic engineering, and single-cell genomics. In addition, numerous institutional shared resources and core facilities support the laboratory by providing expertise and state-of-the-art technologies.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital offers an excellent salary and benefits package and is an equal opportunity employer.

Interested applicants should send their CVs and the names and addresses of 3 references to:

Stanislav Zakharenko, M.D., Ph.D. Depa