Post-Doctoral Fellow - Dept. of Neuroscience and Anatomy

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Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

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Anatomy

In the Department of Neuroscience & Anatomy, research is one of our core tenets. With traditions anchored in the anatomical disciplines, our identity has evolved to reside in modern neuroscience, where our dedicated faculty and students engage in state-of-the-art research and scholarly activity with clinical translation potential in conditions ranging from anxiety to epilepsy to Alzheimer’s. With labs and grant-funded projects led by our full-time department faculty and affiliate faculty in other academic units across VCU, we’re proud to contribute to the field by conducting innovative research the following focus areas:
Central Nervous System Circuit Function, Central Nervous System Injury and Repair, Educational scholarship and Practice, Glial Cell Biology, and Molecular Mechanisms of Neuropsychiatric Disorders.

The Krishnan Lab in the Department of Neuroscience and Anatomy at Virginia Commonwealth University is seeking a highly motivated and capable Postdoc to join our growing team. We are a new neuroscience lab using cutting‑edge approaches to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying memory and substance use disorders. The Krishnan Lab offers a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment that integrates biology, engineering, and computation with a strong emphasis on hands‑on experimentation and innovation.

The postdoctoral fellow will lead the lab’s research efforts, with a primary focus on developing and advancing the substance use disorder research wing, and will be given substantial intellectual and experimental independence. This position is well‑suited for candidates seeking to establish a strong research identity, mentor trainees, and contribute meaningfully to the growth of a new and interdisciplinary neuroscience laboratory. Postdoctoral fellows are strongly encouraged and supported to apply for independent funding (e.g., NIH F32, K awards) and to develop projects that will position them for academic or industry careers.

The successful candidate will design and execute behavioral paradigms relevant to substance use disorders and integrate these approaches with the neural circuit investigation tools in our lab. They will have the opportunity to develop independent projects, pursue fellowship funding, write manuscripts, and mentor students and research staff.

• Lead and develop research projects focused on substance use disorders and related behavioral paradigms
• Design, implement, and refine rodent behavioral assays relevant to SUDs (e.g., reward learning, relapse, withdrawal, compulsive behavior)
• Integrate behavioral approaches with neural circuit techniques such as in vivo imaging, optogenetics, or electrophysiology
• Analyze and interpret behavioral and neural data
• Mentor research technicians, undergraduate students, and/or graduate trainees
• Contribute to manuscript preparation, grant writing, and dissemination of research findings

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in neuroscience, psychology, pharmacology, or a related field
• Strong background in behavioral neuroscience
• Prior experience working with rodents or a willingness to learn rodent handling and experimental procedures
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team‑based research environment
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a Post‑Doctoral Fellow at VCU

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in substance use disorder research
• Experience with circuit‑level techniques (e.g., calcium imaging, optogenetics, chemo genetics, electrophysiology)
• Computational or quantitative analysis skills
• Interest in mentoring and contributing to lab development
• Record of peer‑reviewed publications

Commensurate starting at $62,232

All VCU employee types are eligible for a wide array of benefits to support you during your employment sult the benefits website for information on benefits eligibility according to employee type.

Exempt

40

Yes

Yes

Fully Onsite

Contact Email: SOMHR