Staff Opportunities

The Anacker lab is looking for a full-time research assistant to work on the neurobiology of stress-induced psychiatric disorders.

The Anacker lab studies the neurobiological mechanisms that regulate individual differences in susceptibility and resilience to stress, with a focus on how stress that is experienced early in life impairs the development of neural circuits underlying cognitive function and emotion. We are especially interested in understanding how impaired connections from the hippocampus to cortical areas mediate stress effects on fear-based behavior and cognitive flexibility.

Our lab uses mouse models of stress during the early life period in combination with advanced neuroscience techniques, such as in vivo Ca2+ imaging with miniature microscopes in freely moving mice, fiber photometry, optogenetics, and computational analyses of complex neural activity data. We use these techniques to image neural activity and neurotransmitter signaling in deep brain structures, and to functionally inhibit or activate specific neural circuits. We also use several transgenic mouse models that differ in their vulnerability to stress because of differences in hippocampal neurogenesis or in the function of the serotonin system. In addition to this circuit level analysis, the lab uses next-generation RNA sequencing and whole genome epigenetic analyses to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which stress during early life exerts long-lasting effects on neural circuit function.

The research assistant will contribute to all aspects of the project, including in vivo Ca2+ imaging of neural activity in freely moving mice, biosensor imaging of neurotransmitter signaling in the rodent brain, rodent behavioral testing in cognitive tasks and anxiety-like behavior, stereotactic surgery, mouse colony maintenance, brain tissue processing, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescent microscopy.

Minimum qualifications: BSc degree in a neuroscience-related discipline, experience with rodent experimentation, excellent record keeping skills and interpersonal communication.

Preferred qualifications: Experience with stereotaxic surgery, brain tissue processing, mouse colony maintenance, rodent behavior experiments, immunohistochemistry, 1 year experience working in a laboratory environment.

To apply for this position, please contact Dr. Anacker (ca2635@cumc.columbia.edu)

Website: anackerlab.com

The Boldrini Lab (mauraboldrini lab.com) is looking for postdocs in computational biology, big data genomics, and epigenomics in human brain diseases! Our lab at Columbia University's Psychiatry Dept. uses single cell and spatial multiomics approaches, in combination with whole genome sequencing, to study normal brain aging, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, suicide, and COVID brain. Our focus is on brain plasticity and regeneration, and we strive to find molecular targets for new treatments for brain diseases. With 15 years of continuous funding and new R01s, we are excited to bring on new team members!

If interested, please reach out to mb928@columbia.edu. 

Dr. Boldrini’s NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/vuVOAC5cNkCWHYOx4Ve7Ag/projects

Salary range $45-55K for RA and $70-75K for postdoc.