Associate Research Scientist

At the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Center for Precision Psychiatry & Mental Health, we envision a near future when mental illness is treated in novel, targeted, and tailored ways, based on a new understanding of how mental illness develops and persists, unique to each individual. Our mission is to apply advances in neuroscience, technology and precision medicine to psychiatry; to create breakthroughs that further our understanding of the biological causes and underpinnings of mental illness; and to discover treatments that alleviate suffering from conditions previously considered untreatable. By addressing biological causes, and identifying genetic and other biological markers, the SNF Center will eliminate the stigma of mental illnesses and address societal disparities by ensuring equitable access to breakthrough Precision Psychiatry treatments.

An Associate Research Scientist position is available in the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Center for Precision Psychiatry & Mental Health for a highly skilled and motivated individual who will be responsible for establishing and leading a research program that aims to study the development, organization and function of neural circuits in mouse models of psychiatric disorders using advanced molecular, cellular and brain imaging methods with the ultimate goal to facilitate translational efforts and develop new targeted treatments. Successful candidates will have opportunities to interact and collaborate with researchers and research platforms at the Institute as well as across Columbia's top-tier stem cell and neuroscience community. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to establishing and guiding the scientific mission of the program, collaborate with cutting-edge research teams, and train junior staff and researchers.

Situated in the heart of Manhattan in New York City, the Zuckerman Institute houses over 50 laboratories employing a broad range of interdisciplinary and diverse approaches to transform our understanding of the mind and brain. In this highly collaborative and inclusive environment, experimental, computational, and theoretical labs work together to gain critical insights into how the brain develops, performs, endures and recovers.

Duties involve the following tasks:

• Conduct laboratory research in translational neuroscience projects
• Design and perform experiments; collect and analyze data
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Utilize an array of advanced methodologies in human pluripotent stem cell and mouse models to study circuit mechanisms of major psychiatric illnesses.
• Participate in cross-disciplinary collaborations, contributing mouse model expertise to a diverse program aimed at advancing the understanding of genetic and environmental perturbations on disease etiology and pathogenesis.
• Provide technical guidance to researchers, troubleshooting, and optimizing experimental workflows.
• Train researchers, including junior staff and students, on electrophysiological methods and data analytic techniques.
• Engage in scientific communication at conferences.
• Ensure that best practices in data collection and interpretation are followed throughout the Center.
• Oversee the daily operations of the mouse model program, ensuring optimal performance of all equipment and systems, as well as maintaining the necessary state-of-the-art resources and tools to support a broad range of impactful projects across the center.

Candidates should have a Ph.D. in neuroscience or related fields, have a strong publication record and demonstrated experience working with mice.

We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise, including in vivo functional imaging, neural circuit tracing and manipulations, electrophysiology, neurodevelopmental biology, as well as molecular and cellular neuroscience. Strong computational skills, including programming in MATLAB or Python, superior motivation, drive and demonstrated aptitude for carrying out independent research, as well as experience and interest in training and mentoring team members, are highly desirable qualifications.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.