About the Department

The Postdoctoral Fellow will perform independent and/or directed research activities to fulfill the 
aims of two laboratories’ NIH-funded grants under the direction of two laboratory Principle 
Investigator (PI), Drs. Don Caspary and Ben Richardson ([email protected]) in the Department 
of Pharmacology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, IL. Broadly, this 
laboratory addresses issues in understanding neural circuits and their role in disease using a 
multi-level state-of-the-art approach. The primary activities of the Fellow will be to perform whole 
cell electrophysiology, in vivo electrophysiology, rodent behavioral assays, viral injections in 
rodents, microscopy, and training of students and laboratory staff. 
The main role of the Fellow is to design and execute studies aimed at understanding the 
neurological basis of altered synaptic function in the auditory midbrain with aging and in
neurodevelopmental disorder animal models, including Autism Spectrum Disorder. Parallel to 
physiological studies, a transgenic approach will be used to determine how cellular level changes 
may lead to disrupted motor and non-motor behaviors. Finally, the fellow may contribute to in vivo 
recording studies in wildtype and mutant mice to determine how cellular and synaptic level 
changes affect activity of the cerebellar circuit in vivo. 
The position is one year in duration and will be renewed annually based on Fellow performance 
and funding availability.

Position Duties

I. Administration 10 %
1. Help obtain information relevant to making purchase decisions.
2. Direct the management and genotyping of the animal colony in conjunction with 
research staff.
3. Help order approved laboratory supplies and reagents. 
4. Assist with scheduling experiments, laboratory equipment usage and availability.

II. Teaching 15 % 
1. Assist in training students and laboratory staff. 

III. Research 75 % 
1. Conduct investigator-initiated and independent research projects under the 
general supervision of the PI or in conjunction with graduate students. 
2. Perform and design electrophysiology recordings from model system central 
nervous system.
3. Perform and design survival viral injection surgery in rodents.
4. Perform or direct histological preparation (including microscopy) and 
neurochemical procedures consistent with the project. 
5. Prepare reagents used for experiments with accuracy and consistency.
6. Perform data reduction and analysis and preparation for oral and written 
dissemination.
7. Maintain detailed records of laboratory work performed. 

IV. Service 0%

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
PhD in an appropriate field (e.g. pharmacology, biology, neuroscience, etc.). 
Experience in electrophysiology. 
Sensitive to the needs of underrepresented minority populations.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Experience in data analysis and preparation for publication. 
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Self-motivated, well-organized, detail-oriented, displays initiative.
Ability to work well in a team and independently.
Previous experience working with mice or rats.

Other Qualifications