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SEARCH CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
When you join the UMass Chan Medical School team, you join us in advancing together to improve the health and well-being of our diverse communities throughout Massachusetts and across the US and the world. Together, we lead in education, research, health care delivery, and public service. Your life’s work is more than a career. It’s an expression of your passion, intellect, skill, and drive. UMass Chan's commitment to excellence, innovation, competitive benefits, and work-life integration will allow you to build a professionally rewarding career as we work together to better or improve the health of people around the globe.
Category: Research
Location: Worcester, MA
Shift: Day
Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Business Unit: UMass Chan Medical School
Department: Neurobiology
Job Type: Full-Time
Union Code: Non Union Position - Residents/Post Docs (W63)
Num. Openings: 1
Post Date: Oct. 28, 2026
Work Location: 100% Onsite
Salary Minimum: USD $72,960.00/Yr.
Salary Maximum: USD $72,960.00/Yr.
Postdoctoral position in Gut-Brain Communication
Alkema Laboratory | Department of Neurobiology | UMass Chan Medical School
We're looking for a motivated, creative postdoctoral fellow to join the Alkema laboratory in the Department of Neurobiology at UMass Chan Medical School. If you're excited by questions about how nervous systems generate complex behaviors and adapt them to changes in the internal and external environment, we'd love to hear from you.
Our research uses Caenorhabditis elegans to address two complementary questions. First, we investigate how neuromodulators and co-transmitters generate behavioral states and control transitions between them. Second, we examine how the gut microbiota and microbial metabolites influence neural function, physiology, and behavior.
These projects explore the mechanisms by which internal state, environmental conditions, and microbial signals are integrated by the nervous
system. We combine genetics, molecular biology, quantitative behavioral analysis, neural imaging, optogenetics, bacterial genetics, and metabolomics.
The successful candidate will have considerable freedom to develop an independent research direction
within either of these areas or at their intersection. Our lab is a collaborative and intellectually engaging place to work, where curiosity, creativity, and experimental rigor are all valued — and where you'll have colleagues invested in your growth as a scientist. You'll also be part of a, interactive research
community in the Department of Neurobiology at UMass Chan, with access to advanced imaging, genomic, metabolomic, and computational resources.
We're looking for someone with:
• A Ph.D. in neurobiology, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, metabolism, bioinformatics, or a related field
• Previous peer-reviewed publications
• Strong experimental, analytical, and scientific-writing skills
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• An interest in neuromodulation, behavior, or microbiome-host communication
*** Previous experience with C. elegans is helpful but not required.
Applicants with backgrounds in neuroscience, microbiology,
microbial genetics, imaging, metabolomics, or quantitative biology are encouraged to apply.
Postdoctoral fellows will be actively involved in manuscript and grant writing. Training and mentorship in grant writing will be provided, and fellows will be encouraged to develop and submit their own fellowship and research proposals.
To apply, please send:
• A cover letter describing your research background, interests, and reasons for applying
• A curriculum vitae, including a complete publication list
• Contact information for three references
If you're interested or just want to learn more, please feel free to reach out with a CV and a short note about your background and interests to:
Dr. Mark Alkema
Department of Neurobiology
UMass Chan Medical School
Worcester, Massachusetts
mark.alkema@umassmed.ed
#LI-KR1
Posting Disclaimer:
This job posting outlines the primary responsibilities and qualifications for the role but is not intended to be an exhaustive list.
Duties and expectations may evolve in response to the needs of the department and the broader institution.
In alignment with our commitment to pay transparency, the base salary range for this position is listed above (exclusive of benefits and retirement).
At UMass Chan Medical School, final base salary offers are determined based on a combination of factors, including your skills, education, and relevant experience.
We also consider internal equity to ensure fair and consistent compensation across our teams.
Please note that the range provided reflects the full base salary range for this position. Offers are typically made within the midrange to allow for future growth and development within the role.
In addition to base pay, UMass Chan offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package, which includes paid time off, medical, dental, and vision coverage, and participation in a 401(a)-retirement plan, with the option to contribute to a voluntary 403(b) plan.
UMass Chan welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.
