Postdoctoral Fellow

Job Posting Title:

Postdoctoral Fellow

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Hiring Department:

Department of Neuroscience

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Dec 31, 2025

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Location:

AUSTIN, TX

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Job Details:

General Notes

The Elston Lab at the University of Texas at Austin is searching for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to explore the neural foundations of cognitive control in non-human primates. Our goal is to understand how the prefrontal cortex interacts with other areas to facilitate aspects of cognitive control related to attention, decision-making, and self-control. Through understanding these mechanisms, we aim to create brain-computer interfaces that will enable us to directly interact with the physiology of cognition as it unfolds in the brain.

The successful candidate will perform large-scale, multi-area neural recordings using Neuropixels and help develop the next generation of closed-loop brain-computer interfaces. We are searching for a driven and clear-minded researcher committed to contributing to a multidisciplinary research program that connects extensive neurophysiological recordings across multiple brain areas with machine learning and neuro-engineering in awake, behaving non-human primates. This position promises a vibrant and cooperative atmosphere within the broad and diverse neuroscience community at the University of Texas at Austin. The Elston Lab is committed to career development and actively supports diversity in science.

As a newly established lab, this role offers a unique opportunity for postdocs interested in gaining experience in building up a research laboratory. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in establishing the lab, providing valuable experience that will be beneficial for those aspiring to set up their own laboratories in the future.

This is a full-time, benefits eligible position. The University of Texas at Austin offers a competitive benefits package. More information here: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefit

Purpose

To provide research support in the lab of Dr. Thomas Elston for the Department of Neuroscience.

Responsibilities

• Train non-human primates to perform cognitively demanding tasks.

• Perform multi-site Neuropixel recordings.

• Develop and implement machine-learning pipelines to analyze neurophysiological data.

• Design and implement closed-loop electrical microstimulation protocols to influence cognition in awake, behaving non-human primates.

• Present work at leading conferences in the field and publish papers in top-tier journals.

• Help establish a fun, exciting, and cutting-edge laboratory

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) field, received within the last three years.

• Proficiency in data analysis with either Python, MATLAB, or R.

• A healthy attitude towards the use of animals in research.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills (oral and written).

• Prior experience with non-human primates or other animals in research.

Salary Range

$61,008 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work around chemical fumes.

• May work around standard office conditions.

• May work around biohazards.

• May work around chemicals.

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• Brief Statement of Research Interests

• The names and contact information of three references

• Degree confirmation document, such as diploma, received within the last three years

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
• E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.