POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWS

MOLECULAR IMAGING/

BEHAVIORAL NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY

IN DRUG ABUSE

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Intramural Research Program (IRP), is recruiting postdoctoral fellows to study the neurobiological mechanisms of drug abuse. Individuals with interests and background in the behavioral & molecular neuropsychopharmacology and molecular imaging of drug abuse are especially encouraged to apply.

The Biobehavioral Imaging & Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology laboratory implements state-of-the-art systems- (e.g. PET, MRI) (Neuropsychopharmacology, 2015 Jan;40(1):239-40) and cellular-level (e.g. optical, electrophysiology) approaches in freely-moving animals alongside cutting-edge neuromodulatory technologies (chemogenetics, optogenetics) and advanced transgenic, molecular and pharmacological methods to identify neurobiological mechanisms and cell type-specific circuits and their effects on cognitive, social, and affective processes relating to substance abuse and addiction vulnerability. Significant emphasis will be placed on reverse-translating findings from human research to animals. Clinical relevance of mechanisms studied in animals will be examined in humans via bioinformatics, genetics, biochemical and molecular examination of postmortem tissue and collaborative neuroimaging studies.

The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. and/or M.D., a strong research background and a record of innovative research in one or more of the following: i) molecular neurobiology, (ii) behavioral neuropharmacology, (iii) optogenetics/ chemogenetics, iv) in vivo electrophysiology, v) PET/MRI, vi) PET radiochemistry or molecular imaging probe development. The position offers the ability to learn and implement cutting-edge neuroscience technologies, to collaborate with leading neuroimaging research programs, and provides excellent training in all aspects of addiction neuroscience. Please send a CV, statement of research background and interests, and arrange for 3 letters of recommendation to be sent to: Mike Michaelides, Ph.D., Chief, Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Neuroimaging Research Branch, NIDA-IRP, 251 Bayview Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21224. Email:mike.michaelides@nih.gov.