Postdoctoral Research Scientist

The Postdoctoral Research Scientist in the Gill Lab at Columbia University will investigate the crosstalk between tumor cells and neurons, with a focus on how these interactions alter cortical circuit function, neuroplasticity, and tumor progression. We work at the intersection of cancer biology and systems neuroscience, with a direct line to clinical translation. The lab is well-funded, collaborative, and embedded in a rich interdisciplinary environment with active partnerships across the Departments of Neurology, Neuropathology, Neuroscience, and Systems Biology.

Relevant publications from the lab:

• Goldberg et al. Neuron 2025 Glioma-induced alterations in excitatory neurons are reversed by mTOR inhibition.
• Gill et al. Brain 2022 Single unit analysis and wide-field imaging reveal alterations in excitatory and inhibitory neurons in glioma.
• Gill et al. Neurobiology of Disease 2020 Ex vivo multi-electrode analysis reveals spatiotemporal dynamics of ictal behavior at the infiltrated margin of glioma.

Position Summary

Candidates will train in and ultimately lead projects investigating the electrophysiologic and molecular alterations in peritumoral neurons, the mechanisms underlying tumor-neuron cross talk and the therapeutic targeting of these targets with a path toward clinical translation.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and contribute to projects elucidating tumor-induced alterations to cortical circuit function
• Train in, design and execute in vivo electrophysiologic experiments using implanted intracranial electrodes in murine glioma models.
• Integrate multimodal datasets to link transcriptomic and electrophysiologic alterations in peritumoral neurons
• Perform animal surgeries and stereotactic injections
• Apply for postdoctoral fellowships and career development awards

Required qualifications

• PhD in neuroscience, neurobiology, bioengineering, or a related field
• Expertise in in vivo neuronal electrophysiology, including implanted intracranial electrode recordings in animal models
• Experience with basic molecular biology techniques
• Proficiency in animal surgery and stereotactic injections
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills; proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or R

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with ex vivo / in-slice electrophysiology
• Experience with calcium imaging and in vivo optical imaging techniques
• Experience with cultured brain slices or iPSC-derived neuronal cultures