Postdoctoral position available!!

A postdoctoral position is open in the laboratory of Dr. Sade Spencer in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. The research program in our lab is dedicated to understanding the trajectory of neuroplasticity, neurochemistry and behavior associated with drug addiction as a relapsing remitting brain disorder. Our research is guided by several overarching questions including: (1) What are the neural substrates responsible for the comorbidity between substance use disorders and affective disorders (2) How does repeated relapse alter the neural substrates for natural and drug reward? (3) Moreover, how do we leverage this knowledge to inform more effective treatment strategies?  We use a combination of behavioral (operant drug self-administration, conditioned place preference and aversion, elevated plus maze), neurochemical (in vivo microdialysis, HPLC), and microscopy techniques along with chemogenetic and optogenetic manipulations. 

For this position we are seeking a highly motivated candidate with complementary experience in studying drugs of abuse or with relevant technical experience and a strong interest in the field. The successful candidate will join a highly interactive pharmacology and neuroscience community and will work as part of a team that includes members of other laboratories in the Medical Discovery Team on Addiction at the University of Minnesota.  A recent Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience, Pharmacology or Psychology is preferred. 

Submit a formal application here: https://humanresources.umn.edu/content/find-job. Search Job ID#: 326901. 

Please also email the application materials (cover letter, CV and names of 3 references) directly to Sade Spencer, Ph.D. (spencers@umn.edu).

Our Top Picks for July 19th 2018

⭃A medical researcher from the UK by the name of Lois, speaks about her own battle with sexual harassment during her pursuit of a Ph.D. In the article, "Why science breeds a culture of sexism," the authors discuss what she went through during her research and "how the hierarchy, working environment and male-dominated culture of science, not only in their university but in their specialism/discipline, makes tackling sexual misconduct more complex and challenging than in other academic fields and industries."

Flickr Image by Mike Lawrence. 

⭃Special thank you to Jacqueline McGinty for sharing the article, "Women Maintain NIH Funding Similar to Men: Study." While searching for reasons why women faculty members are underrepresented in the life sciences, researchers have looked at factors affecting the retention of female faculty, such as the ability to sustain funding. A new analysis finds that keeping the money rolling in doesn’t appear to be a factor. Of nearly 35,000 researchers who received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) between 1991 and 2010, men and women maintain funding at roughly the same rates.

Flickr Image by Archives New Zealand. 

⭃Join the petition to remove sexual harassers from the National Academia of Sciences. It is not acceptable to allow people to be involved in illegal actions and not suffer the consequences, take a stand and allow your voice to be heard by signing the petition to the NAS here. 

⭃Check out the article, "How the Founder of All Girls Code is Shaking Up STEM in the Middle East," to read about how 20-year-old Aya Mouallem is encouraging the girls who attend her programs to pursue STEM degrees and careers. 

⭃Neuroscientist Brenda Miler turns 100 with style. Learn about her life and legacy in Stat New's article "If you’re neuroscientist Brenda Milner, this is how you turn 100 years old."


⭃It’s easier to make a case for a raise and promotion when you have a clear sense of your own performance. Unfortunately, that part is never easy. Check out the article, "Give yourself a performance review right now. Here’s how," for advice on how to navigate the ins and outs of being honest with yourself and others about your work output. 

Flickr image by Nick J Webb. 

⭃In the article "Twitter for Academics 101" neuroscientist Caitlin Vander Weele gives a crash course on academic Twitter in the new blog post found on Inscopix. She highlights the benefits of using social media as a scientist and gives tips on how to optimize the experience.

Job opportunities 

A postdoctoral position, supported by NIAAA funded T32, is open in the laboratory of Dr. Anushree Karkhanis in the Department of Psychology at Binghamton University in Binghamton, NY. The research program in our lab is guided by two overarching questions: (1) How does chronic stress impact neural substrates involved in shaping neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g.: anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, etc.)? and (2) What are the neural substrates responsible for the comorbidity between affective disorders (e.g.: PTSD, anxiety, depression, etc.) and alcohol and substance use disorders? A major emphasis is on understanding the neural substrates and mechanisms affected by stress, which then may lead to comorbid affective and addictive disorders. We utilize a combination of behavioral (operant oral and intravenous drug self-administration, real time conditioned place preference and aversion, elevated plus maze, forces swim stress) and neurochemical (ex vivo and in vivo voltammetry, in vivo microdialysis, HPLC) techniques along with optogenetics and chemogenetics.

For this position we are seeking a highly-motivated candidate with experience in studying behavioral and neurochemical effects of drugs of abuse to lead a NIAAA-funded project investigating impact of stress and drug exposure during adolescence on addiction vulnerability in adulthood. The successful candidate will join a highly-interactive neuroscience community and will work as part of a team that includes members of other laboratories in the Department of Psychology and the Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center. 

A recent Ph.D. degree in Psychology, Neuroscience or Pharmacology is preferred. Submit a formal application here: https://www.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=98878. Please also email the application materials directly to Anushree Karkhanis, Ph.D. (akarkhan@binghamton.edu). 

Our Top Picks for July 6th, 2018

⭃Although it may appear intimidating, learning to stand up for yourself in the workplace will help build your confidence and career, according to Otegha Uwagba's article "Mind your language and step into your boss's shoes: how to speak up at work."

Flickr image by NASA Goddard Photo and Video.

⭃Getting the word out about gender inequalities is important, and social media is a great way to do that. Check out this Twitter thread discussing data that shows both male and female authors tend to suggest male article reviewers. 

⭃"For an older woman looking for mentorship through a career transition, creative stagnation or the second half of her career, there are increasingly few places to turn: there's no alumni network or old boys' club to step in and help." Read more about Why women need mid-career mentors in Julia Carpenter's article featured on the CNN website. 

⭃Check out the video below: Assessing Sex and Gender Integration in Peer Review 

Opportunities in science:

Nominate yourself or a colleague to become a speaker for the 2018-2019 Neuroscience Institute monthly series SPiNES (Seminars by PostDocs in Neuroscience: Extramural Series) by September 10th by using the link below.

https://med.nyu.edu/neuroscience/spines

Job opportunity:

A Post-doctoral position is available immediately for a highly motivated candidate with a strong background in molecular and cellular neuroscience to join the Sadri-Vakili NeuroEpigenetics Laboratory in the Department of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Our laboratory is focused on determining the underlying molecular mechanisms that cause neurological and psychiatric disorders. In addition, we test the therapeutic potential of novel compounds for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease. We employ numerous techniques from assessing animal behavior to analyzing specific epigenetic modifications.

 Required:

·   A PhD degree in neuroscience, genetics, epigenetics, or pharmacology 

·   Expertise with other neurodegenerative disease or addiction is preferred 

·   Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and oral and written skills is necessary

 Key areas of responsibility include:

·   Skilled at rodent husbandry, handling, genotyping, and behavioral tests 

·   Maintaining cell lines 

·   Specimen and sample preparation 

·   Designing and performing experiments in order to produce reliable and precise data

·   Familiarity with or expertise in immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and microscopy

·   Familiarity with or expertise in RT-qPCR, ChIP, and FISH

·   Capable to Design and execute experiments

·   Prepare and present findings for conferences

·   Draft material for the preparation of manuscripts, grants, and presentations

·   Ability to work independently 

·   Willingness to work well with other lab members

·   Precision and attention to detail

·   Flexibility 

·   Ability to resolve technical problems and analytical skills is necessary

·   High degree of computer literacy

·   Able to quickly learn new skills and apply those skills in a fast-paced research environment

 Interested candidates please send your CV, statement of interest, relevant manuscripts, and name of three references to gsadrivakili@mgh.harvard.edu.

Interesting Features at PWN for 9.30.13

News from the PWN Pipeline:

Gender and the Body Language of Power

Gender inequality may be perpetuated in ways we may not constantly consider, such as by the amount of space we occupy by our comportment. Femininity is often associated with restraint from taking up too much space and exhibiting more contained and deferent posture. Masculinity, in contrast, is associated with 'expansive posturing' that creates a sense of entitlement, power and influence through the occupation of more space.

Walmart Launches Online Marketplace for Female-Owned Businesses

A step in a great direction. Walmart is providing a platform for international and national female-owned businesses to grow, gain greater exposure and sell their own products. It will be interesting to see what kind of support they receive for this venture, and if the marketplace will flourish and expand to include products from more countries and US cities.

Advancement Opportunities: 

Postdoc Fellowship in Science and Technology Policy at American Academy of Arts and Sciences

 Exciting early-career opportunity in Cambridge, MA for individuals with a science or engineering  
 PhD to learn about a career in public policy and administration.
Details in the link
To apply, send hellmanfellow@amacad.org:
CV | cover letter describing qualifications and interest in science policy | 3 letters of reference
Application due January 17th, 2014

Two Tenure-Track Assistant/Associate Professor positions in Behavioral Neuroscience at University at Albany, SUNY

Details and online application portal in the link
CV | Statement of research interests | Statement of teaching philosophy | 3 letters of recommendation
Application review begins October 15th

Two Faculty Positions in Neurogenomics and Molecular Neuroscience Available at Georgia State University

Details in the link
Send Dr. Paul Katz (search committee chair; pkatz@gsu.edu) a PDF including:
CV | Name and contact info for 3 references | Letter of research interests
Application review ongoing until positions are filled