Neural Circuits and Brainstem Control of Lower Urinary Tract Function
We’re hiring!
open Postdoctoral position(s)!
Are you curious about how the brain senses bladder fullness and controls urination? We are seeking a motivated, curious postdoctoral researcher interested in investigating the neural circuits that regulate lower urinary tract (LUT) function and maintain urinary continence.
Mapping somatosensory circuits to the pontine micturition center
This project will investigate how bladder and urethral stretch signals are detected, processed in the spinal cord, and transmitted to Barrington’s nucleus, the brainstem center that helps coordinate urination. By identifying neurons that respond to varying levels of bladder stretch, we will explore how the brain integrates signals of fullness with external cues to regulate the transition between urine storage and voiding.
The project combines immediate-early gene mapping, cellular-resolution calcium imaging, optogenetics, and behavioral tracking to reveal the pathways linking bladder sensation to micturition and develop a circuit-level understanding of interoceptive signaling.
Prior experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred: animal behavior and genetics | circuit tracing | data-analysis using MATLAB/ R-studio| cystometry surgery recordings | EUS-EMG recordings | stereotactic injections in spinal cord and brain, and optical fiber implantation | single cell or spatial transcriptomics | fiber photometry or other variants of Ca2+ imaging | optogenetics or chemogenetics.
Highly motivated applicants with a doctoral degree in Neuroscience, Biology, Biomedical engineering or related field who would like to lead bold new research projects are encouraged to apply please send an email with 1) your CV, 2) a description of your research interests and career goals, and 3) contact information for three references.
About the lab and Environment
The key priorities of the lab are high quality science, clear (scientific) communication and a supportive and inclusive environment. As a mentor, I will provide a stimulating and collaborative lab environment and will do everything in my power to help lab members achieve their career goals.
We are based in the Center for Life Science at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital. This location provides a vibrant scientific environment with extensive opportunities for collaboration across the Departments of Neurology, Medicine, and Urology. BIDMC’s Translational Research Hubs further support clinicians and researchers in accelerating bench-to-bedside discoveries through mentorship, shared resources, and networking.
Underrepresented minorities in science and medicine are encouraged to apply.
The Team
Richard Lee, BS.
— Research Assistant
rlee21(at)bidmc.harvard.edu
Cassandra Seifert, MD
— From Research student to collaborator
Graduate Medical Resident, Obstetrics & Gynecology
University of Pittsburgh - UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
LAB ALUMNI:
* Christian Varughese - Summer Student (Summer 2026); Student at UMass Amherst
* Jessica Wu – Summer Student (Summer 2025); Student at Haverford College (PA)
* Rachel Makinde – Summer Student (Summer 2024); Student at Cornell University
* Thijs de Rijk, PhD. – Visiting scientist (Jan – Jun 2024)
* Robert Cieszkowski – Research Assistant (Nov 2023 – Apr 2024)
* Mihoko Leon – Research Associate (2019 – 2023)
* Andrew Romasco – Summer Student (Summer 2019); Medical Student at the University of Massachusetts Chan School of Medicine, class of 2025
* Luca Szczepanik – Summer Student (Summers 2016, 2017 and 2018); Medical Student at Ross University School of Medicine, class of 2025
Collaborators and friends:
Zeidel Lab | BIDMC Medicine department; ‘Bladder and kidney physiology’.
Lowell Lab | BIDMC Medicine department; ‘The neural circuitry of energy and fluid balance’.
Saper Lab | BIDMC Neurology department; ‘Integrated functions maintained by the hypothalamus, including regulation of sleep wake cycles, body temperature and feeding’.
Voiding Dysfunction Lab | BIDMC Medicine department; ‘Elucidating the molecular basis for diseases of voiding dysfunction’.
Tsai Lab | BIDMC Medicine department; ‘Next generation sequencing technologies and analysis to better understand the genetic, epigenetic, and tissue/cell type bases of metabolic disease’.
VanderHorst Lab | BIDMC Neurology department; ‘Brainstem and spinal neuroanatomy and movement disorders’.
Fuller Lab | UC Davis, Dept of Neurological Surgery; ‘Laboratory of Systems Neuroscience’.
Ross Lab | Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry; ’The Neurobiology of Metabolism, Nutrition, and Stress.’
Campbell Lab | University of Virginia, Department of Biology; ‘The neurobiology of appetite, digestion, and metabolism’.
Geerling Lab | University of Iowa, Department of Neurology; ‘Exploring the structure and connections of the brain using neuroanatomical techniques’.