The Hemmings lab in the Department of Anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine is seeking an accomplished and motivated Postdoctoral Associate to investigate molecular, cellular and functional mechanisms of anesthetic action. The main goal of this work is to identify the functional consequences of anesthetic effects on synaptic transmission and plasticity. This research will explore transmitter-specific effects of anesthetics at hippocampal synapses using molecular probes and optogenetic biosensors of exocytosis and Ca2+ dynamics. Changes in neural ensemble activity associated with these molecular mechanisms will be observed in vivo using fiber photometry.

Successful candidates should have a background in fluorescence microscopy, rodent brain anatomy, and animal surgery. Proficiency in English and doctoral training in neuroscience or pharmacology are essential.

Please send a brief letter of interest describing how your current experience, skills, and future goals align with this position, along with your CV and contact information for three references. Please send your applications to Jimcy Platholi (jip2003@med.cornell.edu).

About Weill Cornell Medicine

The Hemmings lab in the Department of Anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine is interested in the effects of general anesthetics on neurotransmitter release and on their interactions between specific pre- and post-synaptic proteins involved in the control of synaptic transmission and plasticity. We study these effects at the molecular, cellular, functional, and behavioral levels in isolated nerve terminals, brain slices, cultured cells and neurons, and animal models using molecular probes and optogenetic biosensors. Techniques include fluorescence imaging of exocytosis and Ca2+ dynamics, time-lapse imaging of dendritic spines, in-vivo neural ensemble activity using fiber photometry, and electro-physiological approaches.