Post Doctoral Fellow

Location: Columbia, SC (Richland County) – School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience

Full-time research staff position (37.5 hrs/week, Monday–Friday with occasional weekend/evening work). 12-month grant-funded appointment ending 08/31/2028.

About the role

This postdoctoral position will work under limited supervision on the antipsychotic effects of CB2 receptor activation in the laboratory of Daniel Foster at the University of South Carolina Floyd School of Medicine.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct original research experiments using rodent models, behavioral pharmacology, molecular biology, in vivo neurochemical assessments, and physiological measurements (40%).
• Document and record research findings; perform complex data and statistical analyses; generate summary graphs and tables; draw conclusions (20%).
• Write and submit scientific manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, including original research, abstracts, reviews, and editorial commentaries (20%).
• Prepare and present oral and poster presentations at local, regional, and national meetings (5%).
• Mentor junior laboratory members in scientific research (10%).
• Maintain regulatory training and certificates; assist with writing IACUC and Biosafety protocols (5%).

Requirements

• Doctoral (Ph.D.) degree in a relevant research specialty by the start date of employment.
• Excellent English speaking and writing skills.
• Highly motivated, able to work independently and as part of a dynamic team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience handling rodents (rats and/or mice), conducting rodent behavioral analyses, tissue dissection, and knowledge of rodent breeding.
• Demonstrated ability to write research manuscripts and grants.
• Experience training undergraduate students in the laboratory.
• Experience writing and securing local and federal grants, and experience in research program development, implementation, and evaluation.

Benefits

• Eligible for state retirement plan.
• Eligible for state health and life insurance programs.
• Annual leave and sick leave provided.