Summary
A postdoctoral position in neuroscience of mental disease is available to join a large translational research program focused on identification and functional characterization of genetic factors associated with severe psychiatric disorders. This project brings together an interdisciplinary group of investigators with expertise in neuroscience, psychiatric genetics, physics, computational science, and statistics across two sites: the Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT) and University of California in San Diego (UCSD). The trainee will work mainly at UCSD.

Recent advances in genetic technology and novel methods of statistical data analysis now reveal hundreds of common genetic variants affecting risk of schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BP). However, functional significance of these variants for activity of neurons and neuronal circuits remains unknown. The postdoctoral trainee will explore the role of recently identified common and rare genetic factors in SCZ and BP – related to neuronal excitability and synaptic communication – using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). iPSCs will be derived from human patients, reprogrammed into neurons, and transplanted into the mouse cortex at early developmental stages.

Job Description
We seek a postdoctoral researcher with demonstrated expertise in patch clamp recordings (voltage clamp, current clamp, whole-cell, excised patch) and interest in mental disease to work on investigation of cellular- and molecular-level mechanisms underlying SCZ and BP. The trainee will focus on functional phenotyping of neurons generated by reprogramming induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from human patients. Reprogrammed neurons at early developmental stage will be transplanted in the mouse cortex at P0 and allowed to integrate into the host circuit. Experimental methodologies will include electrophysiological characterization (single-cell intrinsic properties and synaptic communication using double patch) and 2-photon calcium imaging in acute cortical slices and in vivo. Functional characterization will be complemented by structural analysis, post hoc immunolabeling, and expression assays. Additional phenotyping will be performed in cell culture.

The main body of phenotyping work will be conducted at UCSD/ Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine in the labs of Drs. Anna Devor and Alysson Muotri. The research will be carried out as an integrated part of our international collaborative project that involves (1) clinical evaluations, genotyping and brain imaging of patients and healthy controls coordinated through NORMENT (Dr. Ole Andreassen), (2) development and application of novel statistical data analysis methods at UCSD (Drs. Anders Dale, Wesley Thompson, Chi-Hua Chen), (3) advancement of stem cell technology at UCSD/Salk Institute/ Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine (Drs. Larry Goldstein, Fred Gage, Alysson Muotri).

Requirements and Qualifications
• Ph.D. degree in neuroscience or equivalent
• Demonstrated experience with patch clamp electrophysiological methods (voltage clamp, current clamp, whole-cell, excised patch)
• Background in microscopic imaging is desirable
• Knowledge in molecular biology is a plus
• Deep interest in neurobiology of mental disease / psychiatric genetics
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills and attention to details
• Scientific curiosity, ambition and high degree of motivation for pursuing a research career
• Ability to work efficiently both independently and as part of a team under supervision of senior investigators
• Strong work ethic

Application Process
The application deadline for the position is ongoing and candidates will be considered until the position is filled. Interested candidates should send a CV, statement of research interests, and three letters of recommendation sent to adevor@ucsd.edu…

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