Postdoctoral Fellow, Lee Lab: Calcium Signalling in Retina and Sensory Neurons

Postdoctoral fellows in the laboratory of Dr. Amy Lee in the Department of Neuroscience at The University of Texas at Austin study Ca2+ signalling mechanisms underlying the development, function and repair of the nervous system. Current projects examine voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in the retina, focusing on the development and function of photoreceptor synapses and on how Ca2+ channel dysregulation causes inherited retinal disorders, and the roles of calmodulin-like Ca2+ sensors in somatosensory function and axonal outgrowth in dorsal root ganglion neurons; a new direction uses fluorescence techniques to study the biophysical properties of Ca2+ channels at the single-molecule level.

Fellows design and run experiments using tissue dissection, surgery and histology, molecular biology and biochemistry, cell culture, confocal and two-photon imaging, patch-clamp electrophysiology and behavioural assays, write manuscripts and grants, and mentor lab members. Appointments are for one year, renewable subject to funding, performance and progress; salary from $60,782 depending on qualifications.

PhD in neuroscience or a related field received within the last three years; experience in immunohistochemistry, microscopy (e.g. confocal and electron microscopy), molecular biology and/or biochemistry. Preferred: knowledge of retinal or somatosensory neurobiology and first authorship on at least one peer-reviewed publication. Application: resume/CV, letter of interest and three work references (at least one from a supervisor).