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Postdoctoral Fellow Open Positions

Postdoctoral Fellow Positions

Two postdoctoral positions are immediately available in the laboratory of Dr. Chu Chen in the Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology at the Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The lab is engaged in NIH-funded research projects aimed at exploring cellular, molecular, and epigenetic mechanisms of synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory related to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI)-induced AD-like disease. The goal is to identify novel therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of these conditions.

Dr. Chen’s lab uses a broad range of techniques, including molecular biology, epigenetics, electrophysiological recordings, imaging, single cell/nucleus RNA sequencing, proteomics, and behavioral testing to uncover the mechanisms driving the pathogenesis and neuropathology of AD and TBI-induced AD-like neuropathology. Candidates should possess a PhD and/or MD in neuroscience or related fields. Experience in patch-clamp electrophysiological recordings, transcriptomic analysis, and bioinformatics is especially desirable.

Please note that salary commensuration is based on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the guidelines for the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA). For further information about Dr. Chen’s lab and scientific interests, visit Dr. Chen’s lab webpage at https://physiology.uthscsa.edu/team-member/chu-chen-ph-d/ and the department webpage at https://physiology.uthscsa.edu/.

San Antonio is a rapidly growing major city in south-central Texas, renowned for historical sites like the Alamo and attractions such as the River Walk. The cost of living is comparatively lower than in other large US cities. UT Health San Antonio, including the Long School of Medicine, boasts a vibrant research landscape with facilities like the NIH-funded Barshop Institute for Longevity & Aging Studies and the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s & Neurodegenerative Diseases, promoting a dynamic, interactive research environment and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Interested individuals should forward CV along with the names and email addresses of three references to:

Chu Chen, PhD
Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology
UT Health San Antonio
7703 Floyd Curl Drive
San Antonio, TX 78229
Email: chenc7@uthscsa.edu

All postdoctoral appointments are designated as security sensitive positions. UT Health San Antonio is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. It is our policy to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

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Postdoctoral Fellowship in Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders

The Daws Laboratory in the Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology at UT Health San Antonio is seeking a highly motivated and creative Postdoctoral Fellow to conduct innovative NIDA- and NIMH-funded research on the role of monoamine transporters in substance use and psychiatric disorders. Current research is focused on:

· Investigating organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3) as a novel target for the treatment of psychostimulant disorders.

· Understanding the role of OCT3 and the serotonin transporter (SERT) in circuits driving fear-conditioned behavior.

Through this fellowship, the selected candidate will gain expertise in a variety of techniques, including in vivo electrochemistry, shRNA and viral knockdown, tamoxifen-inducible knockdown, and behavioral techniques, including conditioned place preference, and fear conditioning. The selected candidate will be encouraged to develop an independent line of research. Additional structured opportunities for scientific and career development are available via T32 training grants at UT Health San Antonio.

Lab Focus:

Research in the Daws lab focuses primarily on monoamine transporters, how they are involved in psychiatric, and substance use disorders, and importantly, how the lesser studied low-affinity, high-capacity (“uptake 2”) transporters, including organic cation transporters (OCTs) and plasma membrane monoamine transporter (PMAT) may be novel targets to treat these disorders. The Daws lab is well known for its use of in vivo electrochemical techniques, biochemical and behavioral approaches to measure activity of monoamine transporters in living animals. The Daws lab studies high-affinity, low-capacity (“uptake 1”) transporters, which include serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine transporters (SERT, DAT and NET), as well as OCTs and PMAT.

UT Health San Antonio, located in San Antonio’s Medical Center, is one of the country’s leading health science universities. San Antonio is known as a historic and culturally diverse city with a population of over 1.5 million. Cultural and recreational opportunities abound, including the historic downtown with the Alamo and Riverwalk. San Antonio is also ranked among the topmost affordable cities to live.

Candidates must have a recent doctoral degree in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, or a related discipline, and a strong interest in conducting substance use and/or mental health research using murine models. Prior experience with rodents is preferred. Applicants must be US citizens or have Permanent Resident status.

Send a CV, a brief statement of research/training goals, and the names and contact information of three references to Lynette C. Daws, PhD (daws@uthscsa.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.