Post-Doctoral Positions on Human Laminar Circuits and Neuronal System Perturbation

Post-doctoral positions are available to study a missing dimension of human brain function: neuronal circuit motifs and information flow for cognition and language. The positions are funded by the NIH BRAIN Initiative, NSF and other sources and are based in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Iowa. The department with partnering companies and universities has developed novel FDA approved and approval pending approaches for studying neuronal circuit function across the human brain's cortical layers.

The ideal candidates will join a vibrant team harnessing high-field functional MRI at 7 Telsa with patients prior to intracranial recording studies intra-operatively and in the epilepsy monitoring unit. The research is part of a broader partnership, which includes brain stimulation approaches (including transcranial ultrasound for neuromodulation).

The anticipated research outcomes from this work are discovery science insights into neuronal system function during working memory, attention and language functions with rare neurosurgery patients research and translational neuroimaging efforts to extend non-invasive measures of laminar circuit motifs that can readily be applied to healthy participants and patients worldwide.

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Partners: This research will be based in one of the primary hospitals for neurosurgery patient research and treatment in the state of Iowa, which has a broad catchment area including the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. The appointed researchers will conduct this neurosurgery patient research under the guidance and training of Prof Chris Petkov (Carver Trust Professor & non-clinical Vice Chair for Research) and Drs Jeremy Greenlee (Neurosurgery Vice Chair) & Matthew Howard (Department Chair). We partner broadly with universities such as University of Minnesota, NYU and many others including UCL, Newcastle University and University of Toronto.

Candidates for the positions will have a strong academic record in systems neuroscience with the relevant neurophysiological signal processing approaches using advanced computational analytics and exhibit strong presenting and writing skills. The ideal candidate will be an outstanding team player with the professionalism to effectively work with clinical and research teams and the incredible patients within a vibrant hospital setting.

Training and career advance support: Successful applicants will receive training in state-of-the-art systems neuroscience research and will receive career advance support throughout our broader network, living in a highly collegial working environment located in a vibrant city known for its creative arts and science close to several US hubs in the Midwest. Travel to partnering sites is encouraged and supported.

Salaryis commensurate with experience and highly competitive in a state with a high quality of life and low cost of living. Funding is available for several years contingent on successful ongoing annual progress reviews.

Applications will actively be reviewed until the positions have been filled.Strong undergraduate PhD candidates will also be considered via a successful application to our longstanding NIH funded Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience: https://neuroscience.grad.uiowa.edu/prospective-students/how-apply. International scholars will be considered contingent the ability to obtain a working visa.

How to Apply:Please submit a covering letter, CV and the contact information of at least three professional references. The covering letter should clearly state how your experience and interest relate to the position. AI generated applications for these human-reliant positions will not be considered. Send your application documents by email tocipetkov@uiowa.edu with 'Application for Post-Doctoral Position' in the subject field.

@SFN2025: C. Petkov and team will attend SFN 2025 and are happy to meet at the meeting to talk further.