Assistant Neuroscientist

Assistant Neuroscientist

McLean Hospital

McLean Hospital, America’s top ranked freestanding psychiatric hospital, is inviting applications for an Assistant Neuroscientist position in Behavioral Biology located on our main campus in Belmont, MA.

The Integrative Neurochemistry Laboratory in the Department of Psychiatry at McLean Hospital is seeking a highly motivated and creative candidate to join our team. There are a variety of preclinical projects to work on with a diverse team of experts in behavioral pharmacology, neurochemistry, cognition biology, and neuroimaging.

Current research in our laboratory is focused on:

• Substance use disorders (SUD) including the analysis of behavioral and neuropharmacological factors that underlie the development of SUD-like phenotypes.
• Development of novel immunotherapeutic and pharmacological strategies for SUD.
• Neurochemical and cognitive consequences of spaceflight stressors.
• Impact of environmental stressors on brain neurochemistry and complex behavior.

Through this position, the successful instructor will be responsible for establishing, conducting, and managing original research program(s) within the Integrative Neurochemistry Laboratory. The research includes using:

• Behavioral pharmacology techniques (e.g., intravenous self-administration, touchscreen-based cognition assays) in laboratory animals, and the application of quantitative analyses to the study of drugs, drug-drug interactions, and behavior.

• A neurochemical approach (in vivo microdialysis including HPLC and LC-MS/MS bioanalytical skills) to understanding the biological impact of psychoactive drugs, environmental or non-drug stressors, and their interaction.
• A neuroimaging approach to understand the impact of psychoactive drugs, environmental or non-drug stressors, and their interaction on neural activity.

The successful candidate shall perform this research and scholarship at a high-quality level commensurate with that which is expected of junior faculty in the same discipline, at the instructor rank. The Assistant Neuroscientist will supervise research assistants and post-doctoral research fellows within the laboratory. The Assistant Neuroscientist may be involved in teaching activities related to the Behavioral Biology’s mission. The successful candidate will be encouraged to develop an independent line of research and will be expected to demonstrate the ability to secure external funding, as a Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator. Autonomy and excellence in research must be demonstrated through a proven history of published scholarship and continuous external research funding. Additional structured opportunities for scientific and career development are provided by the Behavioral Biology Program and Basic Neuroscience Division at McLean Hospital.

Salary and recruitment package in accordance with Hospital policies, and a Harvard Medical School appointment at the academic rank of instructor will be contingent on meeting the requirements for an HMS appointment and candidate qualifications.

Qualifications:

Ph.D. degree in Behavioral Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Bioanalytical Neurochemistry, Experimental Psychology, or a related discipline with no less than 1 ½ years of post-degree experience or training. Prior experience with intravenous self-administration and microdialysis is necessary. Demonstrated progressively more advanced research experience and outstanding attainment in the field as reflected in the number of important publications, inventions, or equivalent efforts. Demonstrated project management experience, including supervisory, budgetary, and general administrative skills. Strong interest in conducting SUD and stress-related research.

Applicants should submit a letter of interest and curriculum vitae along with the names and addresses of three references by email to: Rajeev I. Desai, Ph.D., Director, Integrative Neurochemistry Laboratory, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, Email: rdesai@mclean.harvard.edu and the Registrar and Professional Staff Office at rpsomclean@mgb.org

All McLean team members are expected to consistently demonstrate our values of integrity, compassion, respect, diversity, teamwork, excellence and innovation in their work activities and interactions.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.

A member of Mass General Brigham.