UNIV- PostDoctoral Scholar Addiction Neuroscientist- Department of Anesthesia - MUSC

Addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by loss of control over drug use. Drug-associated cues can initiate drug use, even after protracted abstinence, and the nucleus accumbens core (NAcore) serves as a portal whereby cue-induced activity in cortical and limbic projections initiates goal directed behaviors, including drug seeking. Accordingly, synaptic plasticity within these glutamatergic projections to the NAcore strongly contributes to drug relapse vulnerability. A common rodent model of cocaine relapse is the self-administration reinstatement model, in which rats or mice are trained to press a lever to receive an intravenous infusion of cocaine. During self-administration, drug infusions are paired to discrete light and tone cues and these cues become conditioned stimuli through Pavlovian learning. After self-administration, the rodent enters a period of extinction training in which lever pressing has no programmed consequences and drug-seeking behavior decreases rapidly. Relapse is then modeled by reintroducing the conditioned stimulus, robustly reinstating drug-seeking behavior without achieving drug access. 

This post-doctoral  role in the anesthesia department will consist of rodent addiction research including rodent behavioral studies, rodent handling and husbandry as well as rodent surgery. This position will also include a significant amount of data analysis and grant and manuscript writing. The position will be initially established for a minimum of one year, with continued employment on subsequent years based off of performance evaluations and specific milestones (project completions, presentations and grant and paper submissions).  The position and duties outlined above will allow the post doctor fellow the education and skill set development necessary to become independently funded.  

The candidate should be prepared to work on a set of research and projects focused on astroglia and their role in addiction. These experiments take place both within the Scofield lab and within additional collabortive environments within labs at the Medical University of South Carolina. The applicant should be willing to work alongside other research staff and take direction from Dr. Scofield and other members of the laboratory, be prepared to assist in the preparation of papers and grants and be prepared to identify opportunities and develop their own skills in all these areas. 

Job Duties:

35%

• Conducts self-administration behavioral studies, monitoring catheter placement and performing surgery as needed to support this work

• Manages mouse breeding colonies to maintain appropriate levels of transgenic animals as needed for rodent studies

Performs microscopy (confocal or in-vivo 2-photon)

35%

• Keeps accurate and detailed records of experiments and results, and identifies and

troubleshoots unexpected results.

• Observes and complies with safety standards and procedures.

• Works to develop and secure research funding.

30%

• Works with a broad range of collaborators to deliver research in the area of addiction neuroscience

• Identifies opportunities for publications and research funding.

• Analyses and presents data, and prepares abstracts and manuscripts for dissemination.

• Leads and collaborates on peer-reviewed journal submissions.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent) Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work in all cold temperature extremes, i.e. spot coolers. (Frequent) Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to perform 'pinching' operations. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous) Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous) Possess good finger dexterity. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 15 lbs., unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift objects, up to 15 lbs., from floor level to height of 72 inches, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lower objects, up to 15 lbs., from height of 72 inches to floor level, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to push/pull objects, up to 15 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift and carry objects up to 15 lbs. a distance of five (5) floors and to outlying buildings. (Frequent) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to be qualified physically (by medical personnel) for respirator use, initially and annually. Ability to work alone in isolated areas, such as darkrooms. (Frequent)
Additional New Requirements: Ability to obtain and maintain a valid drivers license. Computer literacy. Ability to work rotating shifts as required. Ability to work overtime as required. Ability to learn and use new processes, tools and equipment as required.