Current Job Opportunities

Assistant Professor: Evolution of Behavior

The Department of Neurobiology and Behavior (NBB) invites applications for a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Behavior. We seek broad thinkers with a strong understanding of evolutionary biology who can show how their research helps answer major questions in animal behavior and why they are particularly suited to tackle these questions. We encourage candidates whose aim is to discover general principles of animal behavior that link to other areas of biology. The successful candidate is expected to establish a vigorous, externally funded, internationally recognized research program, and to teach at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Apply: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/11444. Questions can be directed to Prof. Kerry Shaw, Search Committee Chair, NBB, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, jkh222@cornell.edu. Application deadline, including 3 letters of recommendation: 1 November 2018.

Diversity and Inclusion are parts of Cornell University’s heritage. Cornell is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.

Technician

This full-time Technician will help continue the exciting work in an active systems neuroscience lab in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior. The neural mechanisms of motor learning are investigated using a variety of experimental approaches (electrophysiology, optogenetics, machine learning and quantitative behavioral analysis). This laboratory technician position requires an incumbent with a STEM background (e.g. biology, physics, electrical engineering, and/or computer science), coupled with an interest in neuroscience and machine learning. We are interested in hiring a proactive individual who will assist with the following duties:
• Designing and building of analog and digital integrated electrical circuits
• Digital signal processing and using existing computer programs (Matlab, Labview)

As a successful applicant, you will have opportunities conduct your own experiments, participate in the intellectual environment of the lab and the department, and present at national meetings. This is a one year term position with the possibility of renewal for a second year (possible 2 year total commitment).

If interested, please contact Jesse Goldberg at jesse.goldberg@cornell.edu.

Temporary Lab Technician in the Shaw Lab

The Shaw Lab in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior is seeking a highly motivated candidate to work in a research lab dedicated to studying the reproductive behavior and the evolution of mate recognition among closely related species. Under general supervision, provide technical support for the research lab. Responsibilities include maintaining a cricket colony; preparing food, cups and jars for housing; collecting newly hatched crickets; feeding crickets; and a considerable amount of dishwashing.

This is a part-time (30 hours per week) 2-month appointment with possible extension pending available funding and successful performance.

Required Qualifications:
Formal training beyond High School of 6 months to one year; more than 2 years and less than 4 years of work experience. Must be a quick learner, personable, flexible, and capable of working both individually and as part of a team. Possess excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and take pride in their work. Must be comfortable with working with insects.

Preferred Qualifications:
College-level courses in Biology/Entomology/related coursework, Associate’s degree or beyond preferred. Lab experience with references.

APPLY NOW!

Postdoctoral Associate Position in the Warden Lab

We are seeking exceptional postdoctoral fellows to join a creative and multidisciplinary team of researchers, led by Dr. Melissa Warden, in the department of Neurobiology and Behavior at Cornell University. The broad goal of our research program is to understand the neural circuitry underlying reward and motivation in the mammalian brain, and to determine how signals reflecting these quantities are constructed and used to control affective state and behavior. We study these systems with an observational and causal approach, combining monitoring and decoding of neural activity with control of defined circuit elements, and utilize an array of techniques including optogenetics, imaging, high-density freely moving neurophysiology, patch clamp electrophysiology, rodent behavior, and computation. For more information see wardenlab.org.

Ideal candidates will have a strong quantitative background, experience in imaging or electrophysiology, and proficiency in MATLAB/Python/R. Previous experience with neurobiology is helpful but not necessary. The main selection criteria will be outstanding research accomplishments, creativity, and promise of future achievement.

Cornell has a vibrant neuroscience community spanning a wide range of departments and institutes, including Neurobiology and Behavior, Applied and Engineering Physics, Biomedical Engineering, the Kavli Institute for Nanoscale Science, Psychology, Mathematics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, and Molecular Medicine, an environment which provides a unique opportunity to bring the latest technological innovations to bear on fundamental problems in neuroscience. Cornell’s scenic campus is located in Ithaca, New York, an intellectually and culturally rich city in the heart of the Finger Lakes.

Interested candidates should send a research statement, a curriculum vitae with publications, and the contact information for three references to Dr. Melissa Warden (mrwarden@cornell.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Informal inquiries are welcome.

Postdoctoral position in evolutionary genomics and speciation in the Shaw Lab

Research Project: A postdoctoral position is available to join an NSF-funded project in the laboratory of Kerry Shaw at Cornell University to study the evolution and genetics of traits involved in reproductive incompatibility and speciation in the Hawaiian cricket genus Laupala. Laupala species are recently diverged and ecologically and morphologically similar, but differ in traits involved in sexual isolation. Behavioral evolution involving these traits is thought to have played a large role in the rapid and extensive diversification of this genus. The genetic basis of acoustic variation will be studied using genomic approaches. A draft genome is available, and we seek to improve it as a means for identifying the genetic architecture of phenotypes involved in speciation.

Requirements: The desired candidate will possess an interest in / experience with molecular tools, quantitative genetics, next gen sequencing, and associated statistical analyses (e.g. R/QTL). Bioinformatics skills (such as basic Linux knowledge, read mapping SNP calling) is desirable, and an interest in acquiring these skills is essential. Basic scripting skills (Perl, Python, Ruby) is a plus. An interest in the evolution of premating isolation is also beneficial, but no prior knowledge in this area is required.

Cornell University has many labs and research groups dedicated to the study of evolution, genomics and behavior and ecology of speciation as well as bioinformatics. As such, it provides a rich academic environment for those interested in evolutionary genomics and speciation.

To apply, email a statement of research interests, a curriculum vitae, and the email addresses of three references to Kerry Shaw (kls4@cornell.edu). At least two years of funding are available

Diversity and inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.