Postdoctoral Associate

Position Information Recruitment/Posting Title Postdoctoral Associate Job Category Staff & Executive - Healthcare Department NJMS - Anesthesiology Overview New Jersey's academic health center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences ( RBHS ) takes an integrated approach to educating students, providing clinical care, and conducting research, all with the goal of improving human health. Aligned with Rutgers University-New Brunswick and collaborating university wide, RBHS includes eight schools, a behavioral health network, and five centers and institutes that focus on cancer treatment and research, neuroscience, advanced biotechnology and medicine, environmental and occupational health, and health care policy and aging research. Our faculty are teachers, clinicians, and scientists with unparalleled experience who advance medical innovation and provide patient care informed by the latest research findings. We offer an outstanding education in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, biomedical research, and the full spectrum of allied health careers. Our clinical and academic facilities are located throughout the state—at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, including Piscataway; and at locations in Newark, Scotch Plains, Somerset, Stratford, and other locations. Clinical partners include Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Newark's University Hospital in Newark, and other affiliates. Through this community of healers, scientists, and scholars, Rutgers is equipped as never before to transform lives. Posting Summary Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Anesthesiology within the New Jersey Medical School ( NJMS ). Under the direction of the PI, the Postdoctoral Fellow will study novel EphB1/2 tyrosine kinase inhibitors as candidate therapeutics for neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain remains a major unmet clinical need, and Eph receptor signaling has emerged as a promising but underexplored target for disease-modifying analgesics. The overarching goal of this project is to define the behavioral effects, potency, pharmacological profile, and molecular correlates of next-generation EphB1/2 inhibitors across multiple preclinical models of neuropathic pain, advancing lead compounds toward therapeutic development. The postdoctoral fellow will play a central and intellectually engaged role in the project, leading behavioral and pharmacological evaluation of novel compounds across both surgical and chemical mouse models of neuropathic pain, including nerve injury-based and chemotherapy-induced paradigms. Core behavioral assays will include von Frey mechanical allodynia, hot plate thermal hyperalgesia, acetone-evoked cold allodynia, marble burying, and locomotor activity assessments. Together, these assays will allow comprehensive evaluation of analgesic efficacy, affective-related behaviors, and potential off-target effects such as sedation or motor impairment. The fellow will also contribute to dose response analyses, time course studies, and comparisons with clinically relevant analgesics. Among the key duties of this position are the following: Participates in experimental design and carries out experiments using mouse and human brain material, cultured cells, high resolution fluorescence imaging and image analysis, biochemical, as well as molecular biology approaches. Operates and maintains experimental equipment; assists in writing protocols for IACUC . Records, quantifies and analyzes data from experiments. Assists Principal Investigator in data processing. Maintains a proper data notebook pursuant to the standards of the Department and the PI. Contributes to the intellectual development of the project. FLSA Exempt Grade Salary Details Minimum Salary 20,000 Mid Range Salary 90,000 Maximum Salary 200,000 Offer Information The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent. Benefits Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include: Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable) Life insurance coverage Employee discount programs Position Status Full Time Working Hours Standard Standard Hours 37.50 Daily Work Shift Day Work Arrangement This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement. Union Description Post Docs - Regular Salaried Payroll Designation PeopleSoft Seniority Unit Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month Position Pension Eligibility ABP Qualifications Minimum Education and Experience The candidate must hold a PhD in the fields of Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Cell Biology, or a similar field, and must have a strong background in neurobehavioral approaches for pain-related behavioral testing, and tissue isolation in mouse brain and spinal cord. Certifications/Licenses Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities The candidate must have the ability to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be able to work independently. Preferred Qualifications Prior experience with human cells or postmortem tissue samples is desired. The candidate should have a demonstrated record of achievements and publications, good communications skills, and the ability to work in a collaborative environment. Equipment Utilized Physical Demands and Work Environment Special Conditions Posting Details Posting Number 26ST1187 Posting Open Date Special Instructions to Applicants Regional Campus Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) Home Location Campus Newark (RBHS) City Newark State NJ Location Details Pre-employment Screenings All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings. Immunization Requirements Under Policy 100.3.1 , if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: