Postdoctoral Associate

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Requisition Number: 274003

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location:

Durham, NC, US, 27710

Personnel Area: MEDICAL CENTER

Date: Aug 20, 2026

School of Medicine Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate curiosity, innovation, and the unique perspectives that fuel discovery. As a Postdoctoral Associate, you will join a collaborative research environment focused on advancing our understanding of the neural circuit mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric disorders. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge neuroscience research while developing your scientific expertise in a highly supportive and interdisciplinary setting.

Be Bold.

Join a fully funded research program utilizing DART (Drug Acutely Restricted by Tethering) technology to uncover receptor-specific contributions to behavior and circuit function. Working at the intersection of neuroscience, pharmacology, and behavioral science, you will help drive innovative discoveries with the potential to transform our understanding of neuropsychiatric disease.

What You'll Do

Conduct stereotaxic surgeries and pharmacological manipulations in mouse models.
Design and perform behavioral assays relevant to neuropsychiatric disorder research.
Integrate DART technology with advanced imaging and behavioral methodologies to investigate neurobiological mechanisms.
Analyze experimental data, interpret results, and maintain accurate research documentation.
Contribute to manuscripts, presentations, and scientific publications.
Collaborate with faculty, trainees, and research team members to advance project goals.
Participate actively in laboratory meetings, journal discussions, and scientific forums.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Biology, Psychology, or a related scientific discipline.
Experience with animal models and neuroscience research techniques.
Strong analytical, organizational, and scientific communication skills.
Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative research team.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with stereotaxic surgery, behavioral neuroscience, or pharmacological approaches.
Knowledge of neural circuit analysis, neuropsychiatric disease models, or modern imaging techniques.
Publication record demonstrating research productivity.

Choose Duke.

At Duke, you'll find more than a world-class research institution. You'll join a community committed to collaboration, innovation, and excellence. We invest in our people through professional development opportunities, access to leading-edge resources, and a culture where diverse perspectives are valued and empowered. Here, your work has purpose, your ideas are welcomed, and your discoveries can make a lasting impact.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.