Post Doctoral Associate-Kozai Lab

The Department of Bioengineering is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate in the Kozai Lab. We are an interdisciplinary team working to resolve the mechanistic basis of intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) across species and levels of analysis. The project integrates forward and reverse translational research.

In the reverse translation phase, we conduct ICMS experiments in individuals with spinal cord injury who are implanted with microelectrode arrays targeting motor and somatosensory cortex. These experiments quantify the neural activity and perceptual outcomes evoked by ICMS during real-time brain-machine interface (BMI) control.

To identify the cellular and circuit mechanisms underlying these percepts, the team performs follow-up experiments in non-human primates (NHPs), mice, and computational models. In the forward translation phase, insights from these animal and modeling studies guide the optimization of ICMS parameters for restoring sensory feedback in clinical BMI users.

The project includes additional opportunities to examine how disease states and glial processes influence ICMS-driven activity. This includes work in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and platforms for probing gliocomputation and gliomodulation using optical, ultrasound, and pharmacological stimulation.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct integrated ICMS experiments using high-density electrophysiology, BMI systems, optogenetics, two-photon imaging, intrinsic signal optical imaging, and slice electrophysiology.
• Interrogate relationships between ICMS parameters, cell-type specific activation, mesoscale circuit dynamics, and conscious percepts across humans, NHPs, rodents, and computational models.
• Perform imaging and analysis of neuronal and glial populations, including opportunities to quantify astrocytic and oligodendrocytic contributions to circuit stability, metabolic load, and excitatory-inhibitory regulation.
• Execute experiments probing gliomodulation using optical stimulation, low-intensity ultrasound, and pharmacological interventions relevant to AD, MS, and neuroinflammatory states.
• Build analysis pipelines for multimodal neural data using MATLAB, Python, and ImageJ or Fiji.
• Prepare results for manuscripts, scientific presentations, and collaborative reports.
• Work closely with neuroscientists, engineers, clinicians, and computational modelers across multiple laboratories.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate trainees in experimental methods and quantitative analysis.

Qualifications

Candidates should hold a PhD in neuroscience, bioengineering, neurobiology, biomedical engineering, computational neuroscience, or a related field. Desired experience includes:
• In vivo experimentation with NHPs or mice
• Computational modeling of neural circuits or neurostimulation
• High-throughput or multi-modal neural data analysis
• ICMS, optogenetics, two-photon imaging, or glial imaging
• Interest in AD, MS, or glial mechanisms of circuit modulation

The position will involve cross-training across the laboratories of Drs. Robert Gaunt, Omar Gharbawie, Alberto Vazquez, Mac Hooks, and Chengcheng Huang. The associate will contribute to a multi-species, multi-scale effort that advances fundamental understanding of ICMS, glial contributions to neurocomputation, and pathways for clinical translation in neuroprosthetic systems.