"Postdoctoral Fellowship in Integrated Computational and Experimental Sensorimotor Control"

Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute unites world-class scientists across diverse academic disciplines to conduct groundbreaking research that transforms our understanding of the brain and its influence on the mind and behavior. Our researchers are committed to foundational science, uncovering the principles that shape how the brain develops, functions, and recovers.

With more than 50 labs, the Zuckerman Institute serves as a hub for collaboration, bringing together Columbia’s top scholars to drive research in bold new directions. Located in Manhattanville, our state-of-the-art Jerome L. Greene Science Center provides an inspiring home for discovery in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

The Zuckerman Institute invites applications for NIH-funded Postdoctoral Research Fellow positions in our new T32 Training Program in Integrated Computational and Experimental Sensorimotor Control. This interdisciplinary training program brings together theoretical and experimental neuroscience to understand how the brain controls movement across multiple species — including Drosophila, rodents, songbirds, nonhuman primates, and humans — with trainees focusing on one or more model systems.

Trainees will be co-mentored by an experimental and a theory mentor from among 16 faculty. Each fellow receives two years of NIH support and will participate in a comprehensive, faculty-directed training curriculum including: a core course in sensorimotor control, experimental design workshops, journal clubs, hackathons, and cross-lab collaborations.

Benefits

• An annual salary of $80,000 and a comprehensive benefits package are available to Postdoctoral Research Fellows
• Access to the institute's scientific programs and resources for career and professional development
• Access to the institute’s cutting-edge space, equipment, facilities, and services
• Columbia University postdoctoral housing
• Postdoctoral appointment for up to two years at Columbia University. Reappointment after year two is at the discretion of the Fellow’s mentor(s), and dependent on funding and eligibility.

Applicants must:

• Hold a PhD in an area relevant to neuroscience
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Be available to start a postdoctoral position at Columbia University on or around September 1, 2026 (must defend and deposit PhD thesis prior to start date)
• Have a strong interest in combining experimental and computational approaches to sensorimotor neuroscience

A faculty committee will select applicants for fellowships based on their strong research achievements and clear future research goals. Examples of these include research publications and evidence of independent research accomplishments and innovation. Preference will be given to early-career applicants who will have received their PhD less than one year prior to their start date.

Applications should include:

• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Statement of research interests and training goals (1–2 pages)
• Identification of potential mentors from the list of participating T32 faculty (at least one theoretical and one experimental) should be included in the research statement
• Three letters of reference, one being from their PhD advisor
• If you have not yet completed your PhD defense, please indicate the month and year you expect to defend
• How did you hear about this program?

Please see the Zuckerman Institute website for additional information about this position and participating faculty.

Applications open now through Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran