POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR - NEUROLOGY (SOWERS)

Within the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, the senior postdoctoral scholar is to participate in the design, execution and control of laboratory projects and research studies in the Sowers lab focused on understanding the neurocircuitry of migraine using pharmacological and genetic approaches with mouse models. The role features a strong administrative and leadership component, including writing and amending protocols, managing staff and students, and playing a primary role in grant writing and the management of an independent research program.

Key responsibilities include performing complex surgical and molecular procedures, leading biological experiments, and integrating vivo two-photon imaging with optogenetic and pharmacological (DREADD) manipulations. A special emphasis is placed on expertise in migraine-relevant mouse behavioral assays such as light/dark, von Frey, and facial grimace. Additionally, the successful candidate must possess technical proficiency in MATLAB and Python for data analysis and processing

Duties to include, but not limited to:

• Develop and maintain in vivo two-photon imaging platforms for real-time neural activity monitoring
• Perform complex rodent surgeries, including cervical spinal cord and peripheral nerve procedures, intracranial viral tracing, and cannula injections
• Integrate optogenetic and pharmacological (DREADD) strategies with behavioral outcomes in mouse models to dissect the functional contributions of CGRP neural circuits
• Design and conduct independent research studies while troubleshooting technical and experimental challenges
• Process, interpret, and analyze large-scale datasets using standard and custom software to prepare for publication
• Record, organize, and present laboratory data at lab meetings and conferences, and draft high-quality manuscripts and grant proposals
• Demonstrate advanced organizational skills by managing documentation and effectively allocating time across multiple research projects
• Write and amend research protocols and assist with yearly grant and stakeholder reporting
• Prepare high-quality data for publication in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at major conferences
• Develop and maintain knowledge of the field through familiarity with scientific literature and attendance of internal and external meetings and conferences.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational skills and documentation in a research laboratory setting.

• PhD in a biological science-related field is required.

• Minimum of 2 years of research experience in migraine and pain neuroscience, with a specific focus on CGRP-related mechanisms
• Experience working with mice or other rodents
• Expertise in migraine-relevant mouse behavioral assays and outputs, including light aversion (photophobia), tactile hypersensitivity (von Frey), and nociceptive squint (facial grimace)
• Experience evaluating cerebellar and spinal cord-mediated pain relief strategies, specifically focusing on Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP)
• Experience with in vivo two-photon imaging and the construction of mechanical or thermal stimulation systems for multimodal sensory testing
• Experience with molecular biology lab techniques such as PCR, etc
• Proficiency in MATLAB and Python for biological data processing
• Experience with Microsoft Excel, Graphpad Prism, or other data analysis software
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Expertise in optogenetic and DREADD strategies for circuit manipulation
• Demonstrated strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• 8 years of research experience in migraine and pain neuroscience related research and 3 years of postdoc experience
• Success in securing competitive fellowships or professional awards
• Experience with immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, and molecular techniques such as plasmid construction or protein-protein interaction assays
• Prior supervisor experience, including oversight of undergraduate and graduate students.
• Prior experience in a lead role and a demonstrated ability to manage independent research programs
• Experience with immunohistochemistry
• Experience with breeding and genotyping genetically modified mice
• Experience performing animal surgical techniques or other tasks requiring manual dexterity

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