Associate Research Scientist

At the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Center for Precision Psychiatry & Mental Health, we envision a near future when mental illness is treated in novel, targeted, and tailored ways, based on a new understanding of how mental illness develops and persists, unique to each individual. Our mission is to apply advances in neuroscience, technology and precision medicine to psychiatry; to create breakthroughs that further our understanding of the biological causes and underpinnings of mental illness; and to discover treatments that alleviate suffering from conditions previously considered untreatable. By addressing biological causes, and identifying genetic and other biological markers, the SNF Center will eliminate the stigma of mental illnesses and address societal disparities by ensuring equitable access to breakthrough Precision Psychiatry treatments.

An Associate Research Scientist position is available in the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Center for Precision Psychiatry & Mental Health for a highly skilled and motivated electrophysiologist to implement ex vivo electrophysiological assays to study circuit mechanisms of major psychiatric illnesses and lead a state-of-the-art electrophysiology program. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving innovation and excellence in the study of neurophysiological processes in relation to neuropsychiatric disorders. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to establishing and guiding the scientific mission of the program, collaborate with cutting-edge research teams, and train junior staff and researchers in electrophysiological methods.

Situated in the heart of Manhattan in New York City, the Zuckerman Institute houses over 50 laboratories employing a broad range of interdisciplinary and diverse approaches to transform our understanding of the mind and brain. In this highly collaborative and inclusive environment, experimental, computational, and theoretical labs work together to gain critical insights into how the brain develops, performs, endures and recovers.

Duties involve the following tasks:

Utilize an array of advanced electrophysiological methodologies, including whole-cell recordings, integrated calcium and voltage imaging, chemo- and optogenetic manipulations in human pluripotent stem cell and mouse models to study circuit mechanisms of major psychiatric illnesses.

Participate in cross-disciplinary collaborations, contributing electrophysiology expertise to a diverse program aimed at advancing the understanding of genetic and environmental perturbations on disease etiology and pathogenesis.

Provide technical guidance to researchers, troubleshooting, and optimizing experimental workflows.

Train researchers, including junior staff and students, on electrophysiological methods and data analytic techniques.

Ensure that best practices in data collection and interpretation are followed throughout the Center.

Oversee the daily operations of the electrophysiology program, ensuring optimal performance of all equipment and systems, as well as maintaining the necessary state-of-the-art resources and tools to support a broad range of impactful projects across the center.

PhD in Neuroscience or related field with solid training and demonstrated technical proficiency in ex vivo electrophysiological recordings.

Rigorous scientific aptitude, excellent organizational and communication skills

Knowledge of computational approaches for analyzing electrophysiological data.

Strong collaborative skills with a demonstrated ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.