Postdoctoral Fellow-MSH-13400-380

Salary: $74,692

Department: Psychiatry

Physical work location:  1468 Madison Ave, Annenberg 22-76, New York, NY 10029

Name PI or Supervisor:Brian Sweis, MD, PhD

Web link to Lab: https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/sweis/

Web link to Department: https://icahn.mssm.edu/about/departments-offices/psychiatry/

Administrative Contact:  abigail.polanco@mssm.edu (212) 659-8828 or michelle.dangelo@mssm.edu (212) 659-8734

The Sweis Laboratory for Translational Neuroeconomics, established in 2024 at Mount Sinai, studies the neural mechanisms underlying decision-making and motivated behavior. We combine large-scale animal behavioral studies with cutting-edge in vivo physiology and circuit manipulation techniques to uncover how brain-wide neural systems integrate information to support complex behavior. Our work, funded by the NIH, combines systems neuroscience techniques, computational approaches, and translational models used for the study of psychiatric disorders.

We are seeking an exceptional postdoctoral research fellow to lead independent and collaborative research projects. The fellow will design and execute experiments using cutting-edge neural recording and manipulation tools, analyze high-dimensional datasets, and contribute to high-impact translational research. This position is ideal for candidates pursuing academic independence. This position is funded by the NIH for 2 years, extendable based on performance and funding availability. Competitive applicants will be expected to generate independent funding.

Key Responsibilities • Design & lead innovative neuroscience projects • Perform in vivo recordings in behaving rodents • Develop & optimize behavioral paradigms • Analyze high-dimensional neural & behavioral data • Take lead on publications using new & existing data • Mentor trainees & contribute to lab growth • Contribute to grants & secure independent funding

Required Qualifications • PhD in Neuroscience or related field • Strong publication record & writing skills • Expertise in rodent behavioral neuroscience • Experience with in vivo electrophysiology (e.g., silicon probes, tetrodes) data collection & analysis

Preferred Skills • Optogenetics & chemogenetics • Miniscope imaging & fiber photometry • Rodent stereotaxic surgery • Large-scale neural data analysis • Computational neuroscience & strong coding skills

Goals/Outcomes of the Research Project: 

Key goals include generation of and analysis of behavioral and physiology data related to the goals of existing funded projects pertaining to decision-making information processing and behavior in rodents. This includes recording from and perturbing reward-related circuits during neuroeconomic decision-making. Goals also include the development of independent research projects and generation of independent funding for the postdoctoral researcher in preparation of their own transition to independence.

What We Offer • Collaborative & supportive lab culture • Strong mentorship & career development • Opportunities for fellowship applications • Ability to develop independent lines of research • Competitive salary (NIH scale) & benefits