Postgraduate Associate Position Laboratory of Physiology and Behavior (Dietrich Lab) Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University

Postgraduate Associate Position Laboratory of Physiology and Behavior (Dietrich Lab) Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University

Introduction

The Dietrich Lab, located within the Department of Comparative Medicine at Yale University, is seeking a passionate and motivated Postgraduate Associate to work on a research project at the intersection of brain, behavior, and metabolism. Our lab focuses on behavioral neuroscience, with a particular emphasis on early-life. We are especially interested in understanding how the infant brain senses, encodes, and responds to early-life experiences.

The Postgraduate Associate will work closely with an Associate Research Scientist and receive hands-on training in cutting-edge neuroscience approaches, including tissue clearing, confocal microscopy, neonatal viral strategies to interrogate whole-brain circuit function, and cellular-level mechanisms, as well as a wide range of behavioral assays.

Education

This position is designed to provide the Postgraduate Associate with the technical expertise and conceptual foundation necessary to pursue a Ph.D. in Neuroscience or a related field. In addition to research training, the candidate will receive structured guidance in essential academic skills, including scientific writing, oral presentations, and preparation for graduate school applications.

Training

The Postgraduate Associate will receive training in a broad range of state-of-the-art techniques, including:

Whole-tissue clearing approaches

Immunofluorescence microscopy

In-situ hybridization

Neonatal stereotaxic surgery

Whole-brain circuit and neuron-specific perturbation using viral strategies

Fiber photometry

Ribosome profiling 

Quantitative Real-time PCR

Behavioral assays

Additional training will include animal colony management, genotyping, and both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.

Mentoring

The Postgraduate Associate will develop an individualized career development plan that includes weekly one-on-one meetings with the Associate Research Scientist, training in critical reading and experimental design, and opportunities to strengthen scientific communication skills. The candidate will participate in seminars within the Department of Comparative Medicine and across Yale University, and will present research progress at weekly lab meetings, the department’s annual retreat, and local and international scientific conferences.

Appointment details

This is a full-time, in-person position based at 333 Cedar St, SHM I-222, New Haven, CT. The appointment is for 12 months, with the possibility of extension for a second year, in accordance with Yale’s postgraduate appointment policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred but not required

• Prior laboratory experience required, including animal handling and general benchwork

• Strong interest in neuroscience and behavior

• Motivation to pursue a research-oriented career in neuroscience

• Excellent organizational, communication, and teamwork skills 

Application Process

Interested applicants should submit the following materials to marcelo.zimmer@yale.edu:

• Curriculum vitae (CV)

• A brief statement (maximum ½ page) describing previous research experience

• A brief statement (maximum ½ page) describing interest in the lab and career goals

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.