• Research Scientist

    University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)


    University of Rochester: Office of the Provost: Academic Center: School of Arts & Sciences: Center for Visual Science

     

    Salary Range or Pay Grade

     

    $90,000 - $110,000

    Description

    David Williams is recruiting two research scientists to help lead a research program focused on understanding the diversity of the computations the retina performs on the retinal image before transmission to the brain. The specific contributions made by each of the 20 classes of ganglion cells to vision are largely unknown because many are rare and difficult to record from repeatedly, especially in the fovea, and it has not been possible to control individual classes of RGC to establish their role in vision in the awake behaving monkey. Our laboratory has developed a suite of novel tools to overcome these challenges. Using the calcium responses of single RGCs to visual stimuli imaged with a unique fluorescence adaptive optics ophthalmoscope, our group can simultaneously characterize hundreds of individual RGCs in the living primate fovea, and return to these same cells over months or even years. We can also drive these same cells optogenetically, offering the exciting possibility to conduct psychophysical experiments on single cells or groups of cells with known physiology, revealing the visual role of each RGC class. Primate species available include macaques as well as marmosets. Our research plan has implications not only for the basic neuroscience of vision but also for restoring vision in the blind.

     

    Hires who are successful in the first year will be offered the opportunity to apply for independent research funding. Both positions are designed to provide a productive pathway to an independent research career.

     

    The Williams laboratory belongs to the Advanced Retinal Imaging Alliance (http://aria.cvs.rochester.edu/) (ARIA), a community of more than two dozen scientists and engineers who use advanced optical technologies to probe retinal function. ARIA is closely affiliated with the Center for Visual Science (https://www.cvs.rochester.edu/) , the Flaum Eye Institute (http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/eye-institute) , the Institute of Optics (http://www.hajim.rochester.edu/optics/) , Brain and Cognitive Science (http://www.sas.rochester.edu/bcs/) , and Neuroscience (https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/neuroscience.aspx) . Williams’ laboratory enjoys especially close collaborations with William Merigan, Sara Patterson, Jude Mitchell, and Juliette McGregor. The University of Rochester has ~40 additional vision scientists, providing a vibrant and highly collaborative research community focused on eye and brain. Rochester is a very affordable and livable city that has excellent opportunities for outdoor adventures in the nearby Finger Lakes Region and the Adirondack Mountains.

    Qualifications

    Eligible candidates will have completed a PhD, with prior postdoctoral experience preferred but not required. We are especially interested in candidates with experience either in visual physiology or visual psychophysics. Experience with adaptive optics retinal imaging, calcium imaging, or optogenetics, is desirable but not required.

     

    Application Instructions

    Applicants should submit a statement of interest, curriculum vitae, and names of three references to:

    David Williams

     

    Center for Visual Science

     

    University of Rochester

     

    Rochester, NY 14627-0270

     

    [email protected]

     

    Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

     

    EOE, including disability/protected veterans

     

    The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Classes). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.