Postdoctoral Opportunity in Warden Lab at Cornell University

The Warden Lab in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior at Cornell University is looking for two fully funded postdoctoral scholars to conduct research in an interdisciplinary neuroscience laboratory and department. The scholars will be mentored by Professor Melissa Warden who is the Miriam M. Salpeter Fellow at Cornell University and is a member of Cornell Neurotech's Advisory Board.

The broad goal of our research program is to understand the neural basis of positively- and negatively-motivated behavioral decision-making. Recent work has focused on dopamine, serotonin, and habenular circuits and their inputs and outputs. We utilize an array of techniques including optogenetics, imaging, high-density freely moving neurophysiology, rodent behavior, and computation.

More information on our research can be found at wardenlab.org and in our recent publications:

Seo C, Guru A, Jin M, Ito B, Sleezer BJ, Ho YY, Wang E, Boada C, Krupa NA, Kullakanda DS, Shen CX, Warden MR. Intense threat switches dorsal raphe serotonin neurons to a paradoxical operational mode. Science. 2019 Feb 1;363(6426):aau8722.

Guru A, Seo C, Post RJ, Kullakanda DS, Schaffer JA, Warden MR. Ramping activity in midbrain dopamine neurons signifies the use of a cognitive map. bioRxiv. 2020.05.21.108886.

Sleezer BJ, Post RJ, Bulkin DA, Ebitz RB, Lee V, Han K, Warden MR. Tonic activity in lateral habenula neurons promotes disengagement from reward-seeking behavior. bioRxiv. 2021.01.15.426914.

Cornell has a vibrant neuroscience community spanning a wide range of departments and institutes, including Neurobiology and Behavior, Applied and Engineering Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Computational Biology, Psychology, and Biomedical Sciences, an environment which provides a unique opportunity to apply the latest technological innovations to fundamental problems in neuroscience. Cornell’s scenic campus is located in Ithaca, New York, an intellectually and culturally rich city in the heart of the Finger Lakes.

This opportunity is particularly ideal for candidates with a physics/applied physics background who are looking forward to applying their skills in the fields of biophysics and neuroscience. Candidates should reach out to Melissa Warden (mrwarden@cornell.edu) for questions and to apply! Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the positions are filled. Informal inquiries are welcome.

Diversity and Inclusion: Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.