Multiple postdoctoral positions are currently available in the laboratory.
Organic Chemistry Fellows are sought to work on precision pharmacology projects that involve using light and other triggers for confining drug and peptide action to sites of interest. Candidates must have a PhD in organic or medicinal chemistry along with a strong track record of independent synthetic chemistry work evidenced by first author publications. Chemistry postdocs in the lab must operate relatively independently in an environment of predominantly biologists. In characterizing their compounds, they will have the opportunity to learn cell culture and live-cell assays of GPCR function, which also teaches fundamental principles of pharmacology. In addition to these wet lab skills, candidates should be interested in learning some biology - neuropharmacology is a central theme. Experience in peptide synthesis and peptide modification would be advantageous, though experience with the synthesis of complex natural products has proven sufficient for success in this environment.
Neuroscience Fellows are sought to work on two overlapping projects. Our Neuropeptide Release research program aims to identify cellular mechanisms governing neuropeptide secretion from mammalian central neurons. Our Pain Modulation research program aims to uncover the neural circuits that support top-down pain modulation (e.g., placebo analgesia) and the actions of pharmacological pain-killers such as opioid analgesics. These research programs intersect, as neuropeptide signaling is a central to pain processing and its modulation.
Approaches employed include brain slice electrophysiology, 2-photon imaging in brain slices, in vivo fiber photometry (with genetically-encoded optical neuropeptide and Ca2+ sensors), in vivo single cell Ca2+ imaging, in vivo photo-uncaging of drugs and neuropeptides, and automated measurement of pain-related behavior in mice. Candidates must have a PhD in Neuroscience or a related discipline, as well as substantial experience with electrophysiology, fluorescence imaging, or rodent behavioral analysis. Experience in pain research would be advantageous.
Funding is available but fellows will be encouraged to apply for fellowships and mentored through the process. The Banghart Lab is located in the Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior (CNCB). The UCSD Neuroscience community is a vibrant and stimulating group comprised of labs from multiple departments, and includes labs from the nearby Salk and Scripps Research Institutes. We are proud to work in a highly interactive research environment that embraces diversity and work-life balance in addition to scientific excellence. These positions will offer opportunities to write grants, train students and present findings at professional conferences.
Salary and benefits will be commensurate with experience in accordance with UCSD guidelines: https://biology.ucsd.edu/jobs/postdoc.html. Please note that due to recent contract renegotiations the current pay scale will increase considerably over the next few years at all levels, for example, such that a Level 5 fellow will be paid $85,735/yr after 10/1/26.
