Postdoctoral Researcher

Postdoctoral position - Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania

A post-doctoral position to collaboratively study i) mechanisms of epileptogenesis and seizure-evoked changes in synaptic plasticity and cognition; and ii) mechanisms of activity-dependent neurodegeneration and subsequent Alzheimer's disease pathology is open in the laboratories of Drs. Frances Jensen and Delia Talos at the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Neurology. The Jensen and Talos laboratories collaborate closely, and this position bridges studies within the two co-localized laboratories. The research program employs a broad range of techniques including protein biochemistry, transcriptomic analyses, electrophysiology (ranging from whole cell patch clamp and field recordings in brain slices to video-EEG recordings in awake, behaving animals), in vitro calcium imaging, brain clearing followed by intact-hemisphere light sheet fluorescence microscopy, to understand how seizures alter neuronal circuitry and ultimately impact learning and memory. A particular focus of both labs is to identify neurodegenerative mechanisms triggered by seizure activity and test the efficacy of targeted therapies to improve cognition and seizure outcomes for patients with AD and epilepsy.

The Neurology department, along with the greater Neuroscience community at the University of Pennsylvania, provides an outstanding, collegial environment for scientific development. In addition, close ties with clinical programs in Neurology and Neurosurgery offers the potential for collaborative translational studies.

Candidates must have a PhD, MD, or equivalent degree and be either U.S. Citizens or Permanent U.S. residents (Green Card holders). While prior experience with electrophysiology and rodent disease models is helpful, talented and motivated individuals from all fields of biomedical science are encouraged to apply. Please visit the laboratory website at http://www.med.upenn.edu/jensenlab/ for more information.