Postdoctoral Researcher - Neurosciences

Description

A position is open for a postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in neuroscience to join the research laboratories of Drs. Jong Rho and Matthew Shtrahman in the Department of Neurosciences at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). Applicants should hold (or soon receive) a Ph.D. in neuroscience or a related discipline. The research project will study the role of metabolic and mitochondrial mechanisms in the pathogenesis of and therapeutic strategies for epilepsy. The position is available March 1, 2021, and is located at UCSD in La Jolla, California and has two years of funding available.

Research Description

Major goals and objectives: to study how alterations in cellular metabolism and bioenergetics mediate cell death and hippocampal circuit dysfunction in epilepsy; investigate the mechanisms through which the ketogenic diet (and related metabolic substrates/enzymes) affords neuroprotection and seizure reduction in rodent models of epilepsy; identify therapeutic targets within metabolic and cellular signaling pathways for attenuating or reversing epileptogenesis.

Research Activity

• Work with genetically engineered mice

• Immunohistochemistry and microscopy studies of protein expression and localization

• Rodent chronic video-EEG recordings

• Acute and chronic brain slice preparations and electrophysiology

• Chemo- and optogenetic manipulation of function in neuronal subtypes in vivo and ex vivo

• In vivo two-photon calcium imaging of hippocampal neuron activity

• Metabolic assays involving flux analysis (respiration), and opportunity for training in metabolomics

• Prepare and write manuscripts for publication

Requirements

Applicants should hold (or soon receive) a Ph.D. in Neuroscience or a related discipline. Experience with brain slice or in vivo circuit physiology (electrophysiology, calcium imaging, or chemo/optogenetics) experiments are preferred, but not required. Successful applicants should be highly self-motivated, have outstanding experimental skills, and be able to think independently but also work well in a collaborative team environment. At least one first-authored publication from previous research work is required to be eligible.

Document Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

• Cover Letter

• 2-to-4 references (contact information only)

• First author publication

About

Dr. Rho is a tenured Professor in the Departments of Neurosciences and Pediatrics at UC San Diego and is the Division Chief of Neurology at the Rady Children’s Hospital. As a laboratory investigator, he has studied the mechanisms of the ketogenic diet (KD) – a proven treatment for medically intractable epilepsy – for nearly two decades. His research has focused on the molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for the clinical effects of the KD. The principal animal model of epilepsy in his laboratory has been the Kcna1-null mouse, which develops spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) early in postnatal development and which recapitulates the seminal features of human temporal lobe epilepsy. Dr. Shtrahman is a board-certified neurologist with graduate training in physics and Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosciences at UCSD. Dr. Shtrahman’s lab develops and utilizes optical techniques to probe the function of hippocampal and neocortical circuits within the brain. His research focuses on how developing neurons in the adult dentate gyrus encode memories in the brain and become altered in epilepsy and other diseases of the nervous system. Through its location and its distinguished reputation, UCSD serves as the conduit for scientific dialogue throughout the region and has formed key partnerships with the Salk Institute, the Scripps Research Institute and the Sanford/Burnham Institute. With approximately 140 faculty members, UCSD’s Department of Neurosciences is among the nation's largest and is among the nation’s leaders in NIH funding. The program's labs, medical centers and clinics are located in the heart of the San Diego life sciences district. The Department offers a rich training environment with is its unique blend of clinical neurologists and basic scientists. They collaborate in the diagnosis, management, and research of neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, Huntington's disease, Down syndrome, stroke, epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, metabolic disorders, and neuro-developmental disorders, including autism.

Publications available at:

Dr. Jong Rho https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=rho+jm&sort=date

Dr. Matt Shtrahman https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/1PA7JdHfDHO5b/bibliography/45584990/public/

For further information, please contact Dr. Jong Rho jrho@health.ucsd.edu or Dr. Matthew Shtrahman mshtrahman@health.ucsd.edu.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.