The Postdoctoral Fellow will perform independent and/or directed research activities to fulfill the aims of the Neurobiology Laboratory's NIH-funded grant under the direction of the Principle Investigator (PI), Dr. Don Caspary (dcaspary@siumed.edu), in the Department of Pharmacology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL. The successful applicant will work on NIDCD funded projects examining age-related changes in central auditory function. The primary duties of this postdoctoral fellow will be to perform state-of-the-art whole cell electrophysiology, in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics and immunohistochemistry in evaluating the impact of aging on top-down/bottom-up signaling and neural encoding of modulated sounds. Working in the auditory midbrain, these studies will examine the role of cholinergic inputs on the balance of ascending and descending signals. The long-term goals are to better understand how elderly individuals use attentional and cognitive resources to help disambiguate degraded speech.

I. Administration 10 %
1. Research relevant information required for making purchase decisions.
2. Actively participate in weekly laboratory meetings, includes assisting with scheduling experiments, laboratory equipment usage and availability in junction with Laboratory Manager and Senior staff.
3. In conjunction with Laboratory Manager, help manage the animal colony.
4. In conjunction with Laboratory Manager help order approved laboratory supplies and reagents.
II. Teaching 5 %
1. When appropriate, assist in training students and laboratory staff.
III. Research 85 %
1. Conduct investigator-initiated and independent research projects under the general supervision of the PI in conjunction with senior staff and graduate students.
2. Perform survival viral injection surgery in rodents.
3. Design neuron tract tracing and whole-cell electrophysiology experiments.
4. Perform or direct histological preparation (including microscopy) and neurochemical procedures consistent with the project.
5. Prepare reagents used for experiments with accuracy and consistency.
6. Perform data reduction and analysis.
7. Maintain detailed records of laboratory work performed.
IV. Service 0 %

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. PhD in an appropriate field (e.g. pharmacology, biology, neuroscience, etc.).
2. Experience in electrophysiology.
3. Sensitive to the needs of underrepresented minority populations.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Ideal candidates are highly motivated and hold a PhD in hearing or sensory neuroscience or related field. Experience in auditory electrophysiology or auditory neuroanatomy with knowledge of stereotaxic injection techniques in rodent models using tracers and viruses is desirable.

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