2025 Rutgers Brain Health Institute Postdoc Recruitment Event

gsa35@bhi.rutgers.edu Director, Brain Health Institute Murray and Charlotte Strongwater Endowed Chair in Neuroscience and Brain Health Dr. Aston-Jones studies the mechanisms involved in cognitive function and dysfunction and advancing the understanding of how the brain processes rewards and motivates behavior.

noelle.stiles@rutgers.edu Lab website Assistant Professor Center for Advanced Human Brain Imaging Research in the Brain Health Institute Department of Neurology in the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science in the New Jersey Medical School Department of Biomedical Engineering in the School of Engineering Our lab is recruiting a postdoctoral scholar with expertise in neuroimaging (fMRI) and an interest in vision loss and rehabilitation. The lab focuses on the development and reversal of multisensory reorganization in patients with blindness and low vision by using fMRI and psychophysics. One of the postdoctoral scholar’s projects will be collecting and processing neuroimaging data in Optic Chiasm Compression patients before and after vision restoration via surgery.

mark.rossi@rutgers.edu Lab Website Assistant Professor Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience & Cell Biology Child Health Institute of New Jersey Brain Health Institute Rutgers University – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School The Rossi lab studies the neurocircuit basis of motivation in health and disease using rodent models. We employ a variety of in vivo and in vitro circuit neuroscience approaches, including deep brain multiphoton calcium imaging, circuit perturbation, viral tracing, and brain slice electrophysiology. We are particularly interested in combining single cell optogenetic stimulation with in vivo multiphoton imaging. We seek multiple postdocs to work on projects investigating hypothalamic circuit mechanisms of feeding behavior and how synaptic and cellular changes within these circuits contribute to obesity. We seek highly motivated individuals from all scientific backgrounds, especially those with in vivo imaging, patch clamp electrophysiology, or computational expertise.

nw369@shp.rutgers.edu  Assistant Professor Departments of Rehabilitation & Movement Sciences  Brain Health Institute Rutgers University – School of Health Professions Determine the neural, muscular, and sensorimotor mechanisms of strength and physical function/mobility in older adults (60+ years) with clinically meaningful age-related weakness. One postdoc will primarily work with Dr. Wages to enroll, collect & analyze human neuromuscular & sensorimotor physiological data, as well as the physical function/mobility data. This individual will have a strong background in kinesiology, neuroscience, or biomedical engineering. The second postdoc will work with Dr. Wages to develop computational models from in vivo human recordings, run simulations, & interpret their clinically meaningful results. This individual will have a strong background in computational neuroscience or biomedical engineering.

pangzh@rwjms.rutgers.edu Lab Website Professor & Director for Center for NeuroMetabolism Departments of Neuroscience & Cell Biology  Child Health Institute of New Jersey Rutgers University – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School The Pang Laboratory focuses on understanding the mechanisms of neuromodulation across different internal states, bridging the gap between stem cell biology and brain function in health and disease. Our research investigates the synaptic regulation of metabolism, including processes such as feeding, satiety, insulin release, and obesity. A key objective is to uncover the neural causes and consequences of childhood obesity, providing critical insights into its underlying mechanisms. Leveraging human neuronal models derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), we also explore the molecular, genetic, and genomic underpinnings of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, including pediatric developmental disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and schizophrenia. Our work is particularly focused on unraveling how alterations in synaptic transmission contribute to metabolic syndromes and mental disorders, with the ultimate goal of identifying innovative therapeutic strategies to enhance human health and well-being. We invite you to join our lab and contribute to advancing mental health research for New Jersey, our society, and beyond.

db1114@rwjms.rutgers.edu Lab Website Professor & Vice Chair of Research Departments of Neurosurgery  Brain Health Institute Rutgers University – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School A postdoctoral position is available in the Boison Lab (Neurosurgery, RWJMS) to support a drug discovery and development initiative, which has the goal to develop a treatment capable to prevent the development of epilepsy. Our research program is focused on the metabolite and neuromodulator adenosine and its interactions with metabolism and the epigenome. Additional projects in the lab include comorbidities of epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease and the role of adenosine in cancer. The ideal candidate would bring expertise in one or more of the following areas: tissue-culture based assay systems, drug discovery approaches, epigenetic analyses, surgical approaches to model brain disorders in rodents, expertise with epilepsy or TBI models, EEG recordings.

nobuta@cabm.rutgers.edu Lab Website Assistant Professor Departments of Neuroscience & Cell Biology Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine Rutgers University – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Nobuta lab welcomes applications for a postdoctoral fellow position to carry out independent research involving cellular/molecular, electrophysiological and bioinformatic analyses of oligodendrocytes as well as neuron-oligodendrocyte interaction in human tissues, specimens, and cell lines. The postdoctoral fellow can work on one of the following projects in the lab. 1) Gaining fundamental knowledge in human oligodendrocyte development extracting data directly from human cells and tissues. Through transcriptomic analysis, we have discovered a human specific oligodendrocyte population. We elucidate the functions of this population using imaging, genetics, and electrophysiological techniques. 2) Engineering virus-mediated reprogramming in oligodendrocytes. Using phage (a virus that infects bacteria), we plan to establish a highly specific gene targeting method for oligodendrocytes. This technique will be used to reprogram oligodendrocytes in vivo for genetic diseases affecting oligodendrocytes.

danielle.m.dick@rutgers.edu Lab Website Professor & Director of Rutgers Addiction Research Center Department of Psychiatry Brain Health Institute Rutgers University – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School The Translational Psychiatric Genomics (TPG) Lab led by Dr. Danielle Dick is a multidisciplinary team in the Department of Psychiatry that researches how genetic and environmental influences contribute to the development of patterns of substance use and related behaviors, e.g., childhood conduct problems and depression, and how we can use that information to inform prevention and intervention. Incoming postdocs will have the opportunity to work across gene identification studies and longitudinal samples with genotypic data, as well as clinical trials surrounding the provision of personalized genetic information. Expertise in structural equation modeling and other statistical methods for the analysis of longitudinal data and/or expertise in quantitative or statistical genetics is critical. An ideal opportunity for a strong developmental/clinical psychologist who wants to expand their training in genetics, or a statistical geneticist or biostatistician who wants to work as part of a multidisciplinary, translational team.

victoria.abraira@rutgers.edu Lab Website Assistant Professor Department of Cell Biology & Neuroscience Rutgers University – School of Arts & Science, New Brunswick The Abraira Lab at Rutgers University seeks 1-2 postdoctoral researchers to join our team investigating the neural circuits of touch and pain. Our projects focus on understanding how the brain processes somatosensory information, with particular emphasis on: 1) Dissecting the circuits that process different qualities of touch/pain in the spinal cord and brain 2) Understanding how social touch is processed and how it influences behavior 3) Investigating how developmental disruptions in touch circuits contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders Ideal candidates will have experience in systems neuroscience, molecular genetics, or circuit mapping techniques. The lab employs cutting-edge approaches including in vivo calcium imaging, optogenetics, mouse genetics, and behavioral analysis. We offer excellent training opportunities and a collaborative environment within Rutgers’ vibrant neuroscience community.

ian.oldenburg@rutgers.edu Lab Website Assistant Professor Department of Neuroscience & Cell Biology Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine Rutgers University – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School The Oldenburg Lab uses and develops multiphoton holographic optogenetic techniques to study neural coding in the motor system. We are looking for a talented person with computational, optics, electrophysiology and/or multiphoton imaging experience to lead a one of several funded projects studying the nature of neural activity associated with movements. Ongoing areas of interest include directly manipulating population codes to understand how neural dynamics drive trained or spontaneous movements, combining multiphoton optogenetics with electrical recordings to understand inter region communication, and advancing the fields of holographic optogenetics with new technologies. In the Oldenburg Lab, we believe that the best work is done when we can combine cutting edge technologies with fundamental questions in Neuroscience. We are deeply committed to the mentorship of all members in the lab, and are excited to see all the directions this will take us.

jy859@rwjms.rutgers.edu Lab Website Assistant Professor Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Rutgers Brain Health Institute Rutgers University – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School The long-term goal of the Yao Lab is to understand the neurobiology of auditory perception and cognition in both health and disease. Forming accurate perceptual judgments is a hallmark of cognition, as it relies on the integration of sensory information over time. For example, speech comprehension requires combining phonemes, syllables, and words to extract meaningful information. The brain accomplishes this complex computational task by transforming sensory input into perceptual categories and decision variables. However, the underlying neural circuit mechanisms remain unclear. My research program seeks to uncover these mechanisms by investigating neural circuit dynamics across diverse brain areas during perceptual decision-making, providing critical insights into how neural networks support fundamental cognitive processes. I am currently recruiting 1 postdoctoral researcher to contribute to these projects.

elizabeth.holly@rutgers.edu Lab Website Assistant Professor Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Rutgers University – Newark The Holly Lab investigates the neural systems driving decision making and motivated behaviors in mice, and how these systems and behaviors are altered by stress and/or models of psychiatric disease. We use a range of cutting-edge approaches to record from and manipulate the brain as mice engage in operant tasks for a range of reinforcers. We have several exciting projects a postdoc could contribute to, including investigating: (a) The role of insulostriatal signaling in value-based decision making across multiple reward modalities, relating chronic multi-site Neuropixels recordings to neuroeconomic models of choice. (b) Disruptions in corticostriatal signaling driving decision-making and sensory-seeking behaviors in a mouse model of Tourette’s. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in rodent behavior, electrophysiology (slice or in vivo) and/or advanced computational skills, but will train candidates with complementary skillsets. We are also interested in independent candidates who would add new research directions to our lab.

avram.holmes@rutgers.edu Lab Website Associate Professor Department of Psychiatry Brain Health Institute Rutgers University – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School The Holmes lab is seeking applicants with a strong background in network neuroscience, genetics, psychiatry, computational biology, and/or computer science who are interested in working at the interface of human disease, neuroscience, and genetics. Research in our laboratory is focused on discovering the fundamental organization of large-scale human brain networks. A core motivation that drives this work is the search for specific network-level signatures, or “fingerprints”, that co-vary with heritable behavioral variation in the general population and mark vulnerability for psychiatric illness onset. Our current projects encompass three complementary domains of inquiry which aim to (1) characterize the organization of functional and anatomical brain networks; (2) establish reliable links between genetic variation, system-level brain function, and behavior in the general population; and (3) explore associations between disturbances in network organization and clinical presentation in psychiatric illness

linden.parkes@rutgers.edu Lab Website Assistant Professor Department of Psychiatry Brain Health Institute Rutgers University – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Systems Neuroscience and Psychopathology Lab (SNaP Lab; PI Parkes): The SNaP Lab seeks a deep understanding of the pathways linking brain networks to behavior and psychopathology. Achieving this understanding requires multidisciplinary research aiming to understand how cognition, behavior, and psychopathology emerge from the dynamic interactions between brain regions, and how those interactions change across development. We address specific questions relevant to this intersection of psychiatry and brain sciences: How do we improve the predictive models that link brain structure, function, and disease? How do we tease apart the brain markers that are specific to certain axes of psychiatric disorder from those that are general across disorders? How do we integrate our understanding of psychopathology with underlying neurodevelopmental processes to understand the root causes of mental illness? SNaP Lab probes these and related questions by analyzing cross-sectional and longitudinal neuroimaging data and developing models of those data using network analysis and machine learning. We seek a highly motivated post-doc to join our group and work on these questions.

travis.lear@rutgers.edu Lab Website Assistant Professor Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience Brain Health Institute Rutgers University – New Jersey Medical School The Lear lab is interested in recruiting a postdoctoral researcher (Ph.D. or M.D.) with experience in molecular biology bench research and neurodegenerative animal models to investigate how the regulation of lysosomal homeostasis affects neuro-pathophysiology in Alzheimer’s Disease. A specific focus will be on proteins associated with the Ubiquitin Proteasome System, and their cross-regulation of lysosomal homeostasis in neurobiology and disease. The postdoctoral researcher will utilize biochemical methods, immunohistochemistry, primary cell culture, murine brain injections and genetically modified mouse models to elucidate molecular mechanisms of proteostasis that directly contribute to neurodegeneration.