Postdoctoral positions are available in the laboratory of Shozo Yokoyama:

The Long-term goal of our research is to elucidate the mechanisms of the spectral tuning of visual pigments and adaptive evolution of dim-light and color vision.

Selected References:

• Yokoyama, S., Tada, T., Zhang, H. and Britt, L. (2008) Elucidation of phenotypic adaptations: molecular analyses of dim-light vision proteins in vertebrates. PNAS 105: 13480-13485.
• Yokoyama, S. (2008) Evolution of dim-light and color vision pigments. Annu. Rev. Genomics Hum. Genet. 9: 259-282.
• Tada, T., Altun, A. and Yokoyama, S. (2009) Evolutionary replacement of UV vision by violet vision in fish. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 106: 17457-17462.
• Altun, A., Yokoyama, S. and Morokuma, K. (2009) Color tuning in short wavelength- sensitive human and mouse visual pigments: Ab initio quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics studies. J. Phys. Chem. A 113: 11685-11692.

We are looking for recent graduates who are well versed in experimental molecular genetics.

To obtain more information or submit your CV, contact Shozo Yokoyama.

 POSTDOCTORAL POSITION  IN ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY OF SOCIAL BONDING                   

Department of Biology, Emory University
Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

A postdoctoral position investigating the electrophysiological mechanisms of social bonding in behaving prairie voles is available in the labs of Dr. Robert Liu (Emory Biology) and Dr. Larry Young (Yerkes). Our NIH-funded project’s long-term goalis to illuminate how social neurochemicals like oxytocin modulate in vivothe function of neural circuits underlying social reward and social information processing – key elements in establishing social bonds. Socially monogamous prairie voles have become a canonical animal model for investigating the neurochemical basis for pro-social behaviors. Our studies will examine how these modulate dynamic neural activity within the limbic system during social interactions that facilitate the formation and maintenance of social bonds.

We are looking for a candidate with a strong background in extracellular electrophysiology in vivo, along with experience in computational data analysis and programming using Matlab. Training in social neuroscience and/or the neural circuitry for reward and reinforcement would also be viewed favorably.

Emory University and the Yerkes National Primate Research Center have a rich, collaborative neuroscience community, especially in the areas of social neuroscience (http://ctsn.emory.edu/) and computational neuroscience (http://compneurosci.college.emory.edu/). Research in social neuroscience here extends across many labs from the molecular level through the organismal level in animal models and humans, with efforts to both elucidate normal processes and ameliorate deficits found in human conditions, like autism spectrum disorder.

To inquire or apply, please email robert.liu@emory.edu. Applications should include a CV, the names and full contact information of two references, and two representative publications.