The Sahay laboratory (http://www.massgeneral.org/regenmed/staff/) is interested in understanding how stem cell and neural circuit based plasticity mechanisms in the adult brain may be harnessed to modify hippocampal functions in cognition and mood and how alterations in neural circuits contribute to the development of psychiatric disorders. We are currently seeking to fill two postdoctoral positions. Potential candidates must be highly self-motivated and enthusiastic about taking on new challenges. Projects will involve a combination of molecular genetic and viral based manipulations of neural circuits and stem cells, physiology and behavioral assays in mice. Preferred candidates should have demonstrated research productivity, independent thinking and rigorous training in molecular, behavioral, developmental or systems neuroscience. Candidates with a strong background in other fields (eg. molecular biology, immunology, neuropharmacology) are also welcome to apply. Interested candidates should send their resume/CV and the names and 3 letters of reference to Dr. Amar Sahay (Sahay.Amar@mgh.harvard.edu).

Candidates will have access to state-of-the-art lab and core facilities within MGH and HSCI and will be part of a stimulating and vibrant academic environment of basic and translational biomedical sciences.

Select publications:

Amar Sahay, Kimberly N. Scobie, Alexis S. Hill, Colin M. O'Carroll, Mazen A. Kheirbek, Nesha S. Burghardt, André A. Fenton, Alex Dranovsky and René Hen (2011). Nature, April 28; 472 (7344): 466-70.

Amar Sahay, Donald A. Wilson and René Hen (2011), Perspective, Special Issue: Reviews on stem cells and adult neurogenesis, Neuron, May 26, 70 (4), 582-588. Pattern separation: A common function for new neurons in hippocampus and olfactory Bulb.

Kimberly N. Scobie, Benjamin J. Hall, Scott A. Wilke, Kristen C. Klemenhagen, Yoshiaki Fujii-Kuriyama, Anirvan Ghosh, René Hen and Amar Sahay (2009). The Journal of Neuroscience August 5; 29(31): 9875-9887. Krüppel-like factor 9 (Klf-9) is necessary for late-phase neuronal maturation in the developing dentate gyrus and during adult hippocampal neurogenesis.

Amar Sahay and René Hen (2007), Focus on Emotion and Disorders of Emotion issue. Nature Neuroscience 10(9): 1110-1115.    Adult hippocampal neurogenesis in depression