• Full time, one-year fixed term contract with possibility of extension
• Seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral neuroscientist to join the Neurophysiology of Pain and Addiction Laboratory
• Base Salary starting from $109, 301 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The Sydney Pharmacy School is a globally recognised leading centre for pharmacy education. With over 100 years of excellence in education, we are proud to be training the next generation of pharmacists who will be leaders and innovators in their fields of practice. In 2023, we implemented two innovative integrated pharmacy degrees with increased work integrated learning opportunities. Our teams of researchers lead key internationally competitive research from molecules to medicines, from patient to policy, across a range of therapeutic areas.

The Sydney Pharmacy School is seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate (level A) to work on the project entitled 'Understanding the neural basis of incubation of craving for alcohol'.

This opportunity is to join a newly established laboratory under the supervision of Dr Bryony Winters. This NHMRC funded laboratory uses sophisticated neuroscience techniques to study the neurophysiology of pain and addiction. We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral neuroscientist with skills in ex vivo whole cell patch clamp electrophysiology to study mechanisms and neural pathways that underlie 'incubation of craving' for alcohol. Using a combination of electrophysiology, optogenetics and animal behavioural studies, the candidate will define how synaptic function and plasticity is altered in cortico-striatal pathways important for reward and addiction. They will also investigate how exercise might mitigate these changes with the view to inform better treatment strategies for alcohol use disorder. Dr Winters' laboratory is based at the Camperdown campus in the Charles Perkins Centre, which provides access to cutting edge core research facilities and a vibrant multidisciplinary research community.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Conduct research, scholarly or professional activity, independently or as part of a team, contributing to discipline knowledge
• develop and refine independent research skills under the supervision of more senior academic staff
• provide informal mentoring and advice to students within discipline
• carry out administrative tasks and contribute to faculty/school meetings
• contribute to a positive workplace culture in which diversity of thought, contribution, collaboration, excellence and achieving outcomes are valued and enabled
• understand and contribute to furthering the university and faculty/school strategic agenda
• undertake other duties and contribute to projects appropriate within the classification level as required.

About you

Essential

• Have a PhD in in neuroscience, physiology or pharmacology or another relevant discipline
• proven expertise in ex vivo whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology including preparing and recording from acute brain slices
• demonstrate a track record of impactful research and publications in your field
• demonstrate a strong track record of effectively working in multi-disciplinary teams

Preferred

• Experience with stereotaxic surgeries for brain microinjections to deliver viral constructs for chemo- and/or optogenetics
• experience with immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy
• expertise and experience in striatal and/or prefrontal cortex physiology
• expertise and experience in animal models of addiction or operant conditioning for reward/aversive learning.

To keep our community safe, please be aware of our COVID safety precautions which form our conditions of entry for all staff, students and visitors coming to campus.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Australian Temporary Residents currently employed at the University of Sydney may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the reasons for the position.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

To submit an application for this role please provide the following information:

1. A cover letter.
2. Written response to selection criteria ('About you') addressing your ability to meet the requirements outlined above within the context of the key responsibilities of the role (maximum 1000 words).
3. Your current CV or resume, including two referees.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Rachel Ann Yazigi , Recruitment Operations by email to rachel.yazigi@sydney.edu.au.

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The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications Close

Monday 09 September 2024 11:59 PM