Postdoctoral Scientist Dennis Lab

About the role:

In this position you will work toward understanding how auditory or frontal brain regions and circuits support flexible sensory‑guided decision‑making and strategies as mice hunt for prey in a large environment using ambiguous sensory cues. You will build on an established but flexible behavioral task and arena ready for tetrode silicone probe and/or one‑photon miniscope recordings. The role is ideal for a collaborative individual interested in combining experiments and computation with experience in animal behavior and neural data.

Project details are flexible and extensions into circuit, molecular, evolutionary, or behavioral mechanisms are available depending on interest.

The Dennis Lab is a highly collaborative multidisciplinary team studying the behavioral, neural, molecular, and evolutionary mechanisms of hunting in the dark. We create a rich behavioral paradigm in which mice search for hidden food items in a large, dark arena guided by hard‑to‑locate sounds. We ask: how do animals use ambiguous sensory cues to perform flexible behavior? What strategies do mice use under changing environmental conditions and uncertainty?

What motivates them to solve this difficult problem? How does the brain support flexible behavior and strategy switching?

• A collaborative lab environment with strong research and development support.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art equipment and core facilities.
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and learning new methods.
• Strong administrative support.
• A competitive compensation package with comprehensive health and welfare benefits.
• Work‑life balance amenities such as on‑site childcare, free gyms, campus housing, social and dining spaces, and a shuttle bus to Janelia from the Washington D.C. metro area.

• Lead the acquisition and analysis of neural data as mice hunt for prey using ambiguous information in a large arena.
• Analyze results and present research findings at lab meetings, seminars, and conferences.
• Read and discuss the scientific literature relevant to your project and the lab’s broader work, including foraging and systems neuroscience.

• A PhD in neuroscience or a related field.
• Experience analyzing and ideally acquiring both neural and behavioral data.
• A willingness to work with mice.
• An interest in publishing pre‑prints and publicly releasing all code and data generated.
• Problem‑solving and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate within a team and discuss findings.
• A flexible and adaptive approach, with the ability to pivot as needed, learn new techniques, share knowledge, and contribute to the collective success of the team.

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity for manipulating objects with fingers, such as a keyboard; spoken communication; vision and hearing within normal parameters; mobility including moving materials weighing up to several pounds.

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We use E‑Verify to confirm identity and employment eligibility of all new hires. Persons with disabilities may perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

A Postdoc with 0 to 1 year of research experience after obtaining a PhD is compensated at a rate of $74,200.00 annually at HHMI's Janelia Research Campus.

Our employees receive competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a variety of recognition and wellness programs. Visit HHMI's Benefits page to learn more.

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