Postdoctoral Research – Cortical Development & Cellular Physiology

February 24, 2026

The Smith Lab at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to join a fast-moving, highly collaborative program focused on neocortical development and the cellular/physiological mechanisms that shape neurodevelopmental disease trajectories. Our lab integrates human stem-cell–derived neural systems with in vivo and ex vivo approaches in ferret animal model to bridge molecular mechanisms to circuit-level function during prenatal and early postnatal windows.

Fellows will drive an independent-but-supported research project at the interface of developmental neurophysiology and therapeutics. Core approaches include human iPSC-derived excitatory and inhibitory neurons (including directed differentiation paradigms), multi-modal cellular phenotyping (e.g., patch clamp, high-throughput electrophysiology/MEA, voltage/current clamp strategies, and pharmacology), and molecular/cellular readouts (e.g., immunocytochemistry, RNAscope or comparable spatial transcript methods, and perturbation workflows such as CRISPR/ASO-informed experiments where appropriate).

A major emphasis is connecting developmental timing, cell type identity, and ion channel biology to emergent neuronal excitability and network properties. Candidates excited by translational neuroscience, especially precision mechanisms in channelopathies and mosaic neurodevelopmental disorders, will find abundant opportunities for high-impact discovery.

We are seeking applicants with a PhD and/or MD/PhD in neuroscience, physiology, bioengineering, genetics, bioinformatics, development, or a related field. Experience with electrophysiology, stem-cell neural differentiation, or developmental animal models is strongly preferred, but exceptional candidates with complementary quantitative or molecular expertise are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate is rigorous, creative, and eager to publish, mentor trainees, and contribute to a team culture that values openness, reproducibility, and ambitious science.

Our work is supported via several grant mechanisms from NIH and private foundations. Learn more here.

To apply, please send a CV, a brief statement of research interests, and contact information for 2–3 references to Richard.smith.