The Freeman Lab (https://freemanlab.weebly.com/) in the Biology Dept at Utah State University is hiring a postdoctoral researcher to assist with the execution of a newly funded, five-year grant from the National Science Foundation that focuses on the behavioral, neural, and hormonal basis of social bonding in coyotes. After several decades of research on the neuroscience of social bonding, most discoveries have come from studies of monogamous rodents and primates. Monogamous pair bonding is relatively rare in rodents and primates, but all wild canid species studied to date exhibit monogamy. This renders canids particularly suitable for the study of social bonds, especially coyotes (Canis latrans), which exhibit exclusive mating and stable pair bonds across multiple breeding seasons. A majority of the existing research on the neuroscience of social bonding has focused on the mechanisms driving the formation of monogamous pair bonds; there is much less known about the biology underlying the maintenance of these selective and long-lasting bonds once they are formed. Additionally, despite our human awareness of the impact of grief and bereavement, there is little known about the neurobiological, behavioral, and physiological effects of the loss of one's pair mate. Studying the underlying biology of pair bond formation, maintenance, and loss in a long-lived monogamous animal like a coyote can yield tremendous insight into the biological forces driving social recognition, reward, and motivation. This project will establish a foundation for the neuroendocrine basis for canid pair bonding by studying a captive research population of coyotes. This work represents the first systematic investigations of coyote pair-bonding behavior and the coyote brain and will contribute to a more complete understanding of the shared vs. unique brain mechanisms underlying complex social behavior across species. We are particularly interested a postdoctoral researcher with experience and interest in behavioral neuroscience, endocrinology, histology, comparative mammalian neuroanatomy, fluorescence microscopy, spatial transcriptomics, and mechanisms of animal behavior, as well as student mentoring and public engagement.

• Designs, executes, and analyzes original scientific research 
• May conduct a specified program of research and scholarship under supervision and direction.
• May design, organize and conduct independent research and experiments.
• May coordinate field crews, equipment logistics, and data collection.
• Maintains laboratory and its daily operation, including managing undergraduate researchers, assisting graduate students, managing laboratory budgets, ordering supplies, and maintaining equipment.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

• Performs literature reviews, develops research aims, and designs written methodological approaches toward the goal of grant proposal preparation.
• May help locate funding opportunities and write research proposals to acquire additional funds.
• Assists with the management of grant deadlines
• Analyzes data and prepares materials for presentation both in written and oral formats. 
• Compiles written background information, methods summaries, results analyses, and interpretations for the preparation of a manuscript for publication at the completion of a research study
• Maintains a solid publication record.

• May assist in the training and supervision of undergraduate researchers.
• May assist in the training and supervision of graduate students.
• Assists with developing, performing, and evaluating undergraduate and graduate student research projects
• Assists with the management of student project deadlines
• Reviews and revises student writing
• Offers professional development support as needed
• Works well in a collaborative, inter-disciplinary environment.

• May participate in and organize seminars.
• Attends and presents research at national and/or international professional conferences.
• May assume leadership roles in university groups and/or professional societies.
• May teach classes or give guest lectures, if career goals dictate.

• Earned PhD in Neuroscience, Psychology, Biology, Animal Behavior, or a closely related field at the time of hire. 
• Experience working with animals in a research setting.
• Experience extracting, preserving, and histologically preparing biological tissue specimens, especially brains, through the use of a cryostat, microtome, and/or vibratome.
• Experience with light and fluorescence microscopy.
• Evidence of the design and execution of original, empirical research projects.
• Ability to interpret and analyze data.
• Ability to present research in both spoken and written formats.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to implement existing methodology and develop new approaches to experiments.
• Skilled with computers and programs relevant to empirical research and scientific writing.

• First-author on at least one peer-reviewed paper in the field of neuroscience, animal behavior, physiology, endocrinology, or psychology
• Ability to develop novel analytical approaches.
• Experience conducting quantitative receptor autoradiography, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and/or spatial transcriptomics techniques in brain tissue.
• Experience working with non-model organisms, non-human primates, and/or carnivores.
• Successful acquisition of independent research funding.
• Experience mentoring and/or publishing with undergraduate student researchers.
• Conference presentations.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV"
2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls 28,900 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by conference championships in multiple sports, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

*updated 02/2025

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023