Postdoctoral Research Associate - Respiratory Neural Control Laboratory

The Respiratory Neural Control Laboratory, directed by Dr. Elisa Gonzalez-Rothi at the University of Florida, is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join our dynamic, interdisciplinary team. Our lab is dedicated to advancing basic and translational neuroscience research focused on respiratory and upper airway motor control, with the goal of developing innovative therapies to improve breathing and quality of life in individuals with neurological injury.

Our research centers on understanding how neural circuits adapt and reorganize in response to spinal cord injury, pharmacologic and neuromodulatory interventions. We employ a range of experimental approaches, including behavioral assessments, in vivo neurophysiology, EMG recordings, molecular techniques, and rodent models of spinal cord injury.

This position is supported by newly funded NIH and DoD grants focused on developing and optimizing therapeutic strategies to restore breathing capacity following chronic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). The funded studies test the hypothesis that combining therapeutic acute intermittent hypoxia (tAIH) with respiratory task-specific training paradigms (e.g. physical exercise, electrical stimulation, etc) will produce greater and longer-lasting improvements in breathing than either treatment alone. Specific aims include identifying acute effects of paired interventions, assessing long-term treatment efficacy, and examining underlying neural mechanisms of therapeutically-induced neuroplasticity. These preclinical studies are conducted in close collaboration with clinical partners to support and inform ongoing and future translational efforts.

Our lab also lab leads an NIH-funded project investigating swallowing dysfunction (dysphagia) following cervical SCI. This research addresses a critical, under-recognized cause of respiratory failure in individuals with chronic injury. The goal is to develop and validate a clinically relevant rodent model of dysphagia, and to test the hypothesis that impaired swallow function is injury-specific and evolves from acute to chronic stages post-SCI. These studies are designed to fill important knowledge gaps related to aspiration risk and airway protection in the SCI population, ultimately informing more accurate diagnosis and targeted therapeutic strategies.

The successful candidate will contribute to multiple funded projects (NIH/DoD) investigating combinatorial strategies to restore breathing and upper airway function after spinal cord injury. Ongoing studies explore the efficacy and mechanisms of interventions such as task-specific training (e.g., exercise), electrical stimulation (e.g., diaphragm pacing), and acute intermittent hypoxia.

Join us and be part of a collaborative, innovative environment committed to driving discoveries that shape the future of respiratory medicine and rehabilitation neuroscience.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Postdoctoral Associate will contribute to NIH- and DoD-funded translational research projects focused on understanding and restoring respiratory and upper airway function following cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). The position involves conducting preclinical studies using rodent models to explore neuroplasticity-based therapies-such as therapeutic acute intermittent hypoxia (tAIH), physical exercise and diaphragm/phrenic nerve stimulation.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Performing in vivo electrophysiology, EMG recordings, and whole body plethysmography to assess respiratory and upper airway motor output.
• Conducting rodent survival surgeries, including cervical SCI induction and chronic implantation for stimulation/recording.
• Leading studies involving combinatorial approaches to treating breathing impairments after spinal cord injury, including therapeutic acute intermittent hypoxia, respiratory task-specific training/exercise, and closed-loop neuromuscular stimulation.
• Assisting with videofluoroscopy swallow studies and related analyses of swallow coordination.
• Preparing tissue for and performing histology, immunohistochemistry, and RNAscope to examine neural circuit reorganization.
• Analyzing complex datasets using appropriate statistical and morphometric methods.
• Maintaining detailed experimental records, managing datasets, and adhering to all lab and institutional compliance protocols.
• Preparing manuscripts, abstracts, and presentations for conferences and peer-reviewed publication.
• Contributing to grant writing, progress reports, and protocol development.
• Assisting with mentorship of junior lab members (graduate students, undergraduates, technicians).
• Actively participating in lab meetings, journal clubs, and collaborative team discussions

The postdoc will be expected to work independently, show initiative in advancing research aims, and contribute to the lab's collaborative and translational research environment.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in neuroscience, physiology, rehabilitation science, biomedical engineering, or a related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years of laboratory experience working with rodents
• Strong record of research productivity (peer-reviewed publications and presentations)
• Prior experience in rodent handling, with preference for those trained in surgical techniques, nerve/EMG recordings, or electrophysiological assessments
• Previous experience with:
  
  
  
  • Rodent survival surgery
  • Spinal cord injury models
  • Whole-body plethysmography
  • EMG or nerve recordings
  • Electrical stimulation
  • Immunohistochemistry or RNAscope
  
  
  
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative research team
• Strong attention to detail and adherence to safety protocols
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Demonstrated interest in pursuing extramural funding (e.g., NIH F32, K99) or prior fellowship support Application Instructions / Required Documents

Applicants must submit the following materials:

1. Cover Letter - The letter should:
   
   
   
   • Clearly describe how the applicant meets the required and any preferred qualifications
   • Outline the applicant's research interests and long-term professional goals
   • Explain the motivation for applying to this specific position
   
   
   
   
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) - Including a full list of publications, presentations, and relevant research experience
3. List of References - A minimum of three professional references, including full names, titles, email addresses, and phone numbers

All application materials should be submitted electronically via the University of Florida's online job portal.