Job Description

Postdoctoral Research Associate I, Physiology Posting Number req27421 Department Physiology Department Website Link Physiology Location Tucson Campus Address Tucson, AZ USA Position Highlights

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will conduct research to establish the role of a gut sense in navigating our emotional, food, and microbial landscapes. The candidate is expected to have extensive expertise in one or more of the following technical areas: electrophysiology, molecular biology, feeding and reward behavioral phenotyping, calcium imaging, and/or bioinformatics.

The candidate is expected to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team to support the daily function of the laboratory. The successful candidate will plan, coordinate, and participate in all aspects of research projects. They are also expected to contribute to the development of an independent area of focus.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Duties & Responsibilities

Hard Thinking:

• Develop, plan, design, and conduct novel research on gut sensory transduction. This laboratory uses mouse models for research and candidates must have experience working with mice.

Empathy:

• Maintain an empathetic and respectful work environment. Responsible for the operation and maintenance of the research area and laboratory equipment, and communicate with the PI and colleagues to proactively resolve conflicts.

Mentorship:

• Read the literature and present at journal clubs, and mentor undergraduate students under the supervision of the PI.

Communication:

• Develop and write grant proposals and primary research manuscripts, perform data visualization and statistical analysis of experimental results; and deliver oral presentations of data.

Teamwork:

• Communicate and coordinate with other members in the laboratory on both independent and collective ongoing projects in the laboratory.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to organize, set priorities, schedule and review work independently and as a team.
• Ability to plan and direct the day-to-day work of staff and students to meet job function standards and outcomes.
• Ability to train staff and students.
• Ability to effectively communicate performance and discuss expectations.
• Expected to independently propose solutions to problems for manager review, requiring innovation and creativity.
• Ability to routinely interact with colleagues and collaborators.
• Proactive about finding solutions and communicates with other departments or external contacts to perform role and achieve goals.
• Demonstrates the ability to transfer knowledge and application of complex principles, theories and concepts to peers.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in neuroscience, physiology, biological science, or a related biomedical research field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in microbiome research.

FLSA Exempt Full Time/Part Time Full Time Number of Hours Worked per Week 40 Job FTE 1.0 Work Calendar Fiscal Job Category Research Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits Rate of Pay NIH salary guidelines, Depends on Experience Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE) Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive) Number of Vacancies 1 Target Hire Date 11/23/2026 Expected End Date Contact Information for Candidates Maya Kaelberer

mkaelberer@arizona.edu Open Date 10/21/2026 Open Until Filled Yes Documents Needed to Apply Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Cover Letter Special Instructions to Applicant Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.

Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.