Multiple post-doc positions are available in the Dynamical Systems Laboratory (DSL) at the
Tandon School of Engineering, New York University in a wide variety of research projects that
are signature scopes of our multidisciplinary research group. The positions are fully funded with
a competitive salary.
We seek independent, motivated, and creative individuals to conduct fundamental research in
the broad areas of animal biology and social behavior. Candidates will be making important
contributions to one or multiple research projects supported by our several ongoing grants (see
DSL: Active Projects).
In particular, our research addresses hydrodynamic and social interactions underlying zebrafish
schooling, multisensorial integration in fish behavior, and investigation of energy consumption
and metabolism in fish. We are seeking individuals with a strong background in at least one of
the following fields: biology, behavioral neuroscience and social behavior, physiology, zoology,
experimental methods, and/or other related fields.
Beyond conducting fundamental research in the broad area of animal behavior and behavioral
neuroscience, candidates will be responsible for mentoring undergraduate, master and doctoral
students, leading outreach activities, and supporting proposal writing and grantsmanship.
Candidate profile
Ideal candidates are expected to have:
i) the drive to pursue an excellent career in research upon completion of their post-doc training;
ii) a Ph.D. in biology, behavioral neuroscience, physiology, zoology, or related fields;
iii) a demonstrated ability to conduct original research (theoretical, experimental, or
computational), as evidenced by a number of high-quality journal and conference publications;
iv) direct experience with working with and maintaining laboratory animals;
v) outstanding English language oral and written communication skills;
vi) a strong work ethic with the ability to work independently as well as in a research group;
vii) evidence of good project/laboratory management skills;
viii) the ability to strategize the goals of projects as well as design, conduct, and interpret
experiments, under the mentorship of the Principal Investigator; and
ix) a strong interest in becoming a leader, conducting interdisciplinary research with
collaborators in other fields, and mentoring students
The DSL was established sixteen years ago by Prof. Maurizio Porfiri (Institute Professor at
Tandon School of Engineering and Director of the Center for Urban Science and Progress, with
appointments at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, the Department of
Biomedical Engineering, the Department of Civil and Urban Engineering, and the Center for
Urban Science and Progress). The DSL is home to a highly collaborative, vibrant group of
young scholars, with complementary expertise across theory, experiments, and computations.
The director, Prof. Porfiri, is the author of more than 350 journal publications and the recipient of
numerous professional awards (Wikipedia/Maurizio_Porfiri).
Application
Candidates are encouraged to contact Prof. Porfiri via email or through Interfolio here. Candidates should include a
detailed curriculum vitae, a one-page cover letter, a statement of past research experience, and
a list of references. The cover letter should include applicants’ research interests, and their
future plans, both in general and research-wise. Review of applications will begin immediately,
and candidates are expected to join as early as June 2024.
Contact
Email: mporfiri@nyu.edu
Research laboratory manager: gl2861@nyu.edu
Tandon School of Engineering: tandon.online@nyu.edu
Keywords
Animal-robot interactions, ants, behavioral neuroscience, metabolism, schooling, social
systems, swimming, and zebrafish
