Postdoctoral Research Associate

JOB SUMMARY

The Audette Lab of Flexible Sensory Processing (Psychological Sciences, UConn Storrs) is seeking a talented scientist for a fully funded, full-time post-doctoral research associate position. The successful candidate will develop and execute a novel research program at the interface of sensory-motor systems, quantitative behavior, and neural computation.

The Audette Lab is a new research group funded by the University of Connecticut and the NIH Institute of Deafness and Communication Disorders that aims to uncover fundamental principles of computation in neural circuits. We are building a team with diverse scientific backgrounds to study the interaction between behavioral goals, life experience, and sensory processing. Our experiments merge a range of approaches, including large-scale multi-area in vivo neural recording, wireless electrophysiology in freely moving animals, custom-engineered sensory-motor behaviors, neural perturbation, viral labeling, and computation. Our work is conducted in a custom-designed lab space, with access to strong institutional resources including core facilities, IT support, and administrative infrastructure for research. Please visit www.audettelab.com for more information about our research program.

This position is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual preparing for an independent career in Systems Neuroscience or related fields. The position will provide training in cutting edge neuroscience techniques as well as customized mentoring and professional development to support a successful transition to an independent research career in academia or in the private sector. The successful candidate will be encouraged to attend conferences and workshops, will benefit from dedicated technical support personnel, and will gain experience with scientific communication, grant writing, and mentorship. This position provides a strong salary and full benefits in a relatively low-cost-of-living area that is easily accessible to major cities, including Boston, Providence, Hartford, New Haven, and New York City. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute a novel research program focused on flexible sensory processing.
• Learn and implement cutting-edge electrophysiological and behavioral techniques.
• Communicate research findings through peer-reviewed publications and conferences.
• Contribute to the training and mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students.
• Contribute to the development of research grants for funding of lab training and research.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD in neuroscience, neurobiology, machine learning, biomedical engineering, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience independently executing all phases of a scientific program, including conceptualization and design, data collection, data analysis, and interpretation of findings.
• Evidence of strong research productivity measured through first-author peer-reviewed publications or equivalent demonstration of rigorous scientific contribution.
• Track record of interfacing with the scientific community through talks, posters, conference attendances, and workshops.
• Demonstrated experience in systems neuroscience, quantitative behavior, or neural computation, demonstrated through academic, research, or professional activities.
• Proven communication and interpersonal skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Track record of mentoring and teaching laboratory and professional skills.
• Experience using code-based programs (Python, MATLAB) for processing and analyzing large or multimodal datasets (e.g., neural activity and behavior).
• Experience working with quantitative behavioral or electrophysiological data collection methods.
• Experience working with rodents as a model organism.
• Experience in learning and implementing experimental techniques that are new to a research group.
• Experience using engineering skills related to electronic circuits, 3D printing design, or Arduino programming.
• Experience with survival surgery, viral expression vectors, and histological analysis.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This Postdoctoral Research Associate position is a full-time, 12-month appointment that is annually renewable, based on performance and funding availability. The salary range for this position is $62,000 to $68,000 annually, commensurate with experience. The desired start date of Fall 2025 or Winter 2026, flexible based on the candidate's timeline.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Faculty and Staff Positions, Search #499097 to upload a resume, cover letter (addressing your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position), and contact information for three (3) professional references who will provide a letter of support if requested. Please direct questions to Dr. Nicholas Audette at Nicholas.Audette@uconn.edu.

This job posting will be open until filled.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.