Job Openings and Contact

Postdoctoral Job Opening

An opening is available for a Postdoctoral Associate to join the research team in Dr. Troy Littleton’s laboratory at The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory and Department of Biology at MIT.  The focus of the laboratory’s work is to understand how synaptic connections form, how synapses transmit information, and how synapses undergo plastic changes in their structure and function.  To complement this basic research in neuroscience, the lab also studies how alterations in neuronal signaling underlie several neurological diseases, including epilepsy and Huntington’s Disease. The lab combines electrophysiology, molecular biology, protein biochemistry, RNAseq, and imaging approaches with Drosophila genetics to address these questions.  The successful applicant will join a dynamic and growing MIT neurobiology community, with access to a broad range of the latest scientific technologies. Requirements: Strong background in electrophysiology, good organizational and leadership skills, motivation and an ability to work independently required.

Starting time negotiable. Interested applicants can send a CV and the names, email addresses and telephone numbers of three references to: J. Troy Littleton, The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, MIT, 43 Vassar St., 46-3243 Cambridge, MA 02139-4307; Email:  troy@mit.edu.

Undergraduate opportunities

If you’re a student interested in doing research and experiencing a world-class research environment, this is an excellent opportunity for you! The Littleton lab has hosted dozens of UROPs, and students are included in all aspects of the lab such as attending lab meetings, proposing and executing research, and giving presentations about their findings during lab meetings and conferences.

MIT Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

MIT and Wellesley students have the opportunity to work as an undergraduate researcher in the lab, under the supervision of a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. Read more about the program, including deadlines, forms, and FAQs, at urop.mit.edu. Interested students may send your name, current CV, and a short cover letter (state your research interests and background) to Troy Littleton at troy@mit.edu.

MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP)

Non-MIT undergraduates are invited to work for our lab during the course of a summer through the MIT Summer Research Program. This program offers undergraduates weekly seminars, weekly meetings with faculty members, housing, travel allowance, and a weekly stipend. Interested students should refer to the MSRP website for details and application instructions. (Please note that the MIT Biology Department administers this program, even for students interested in Brain and Cognitive Sciences labs.)

Middle School and High School students

The best way for middle and high school students to get engaged with the research community at MIT is through the excellent free programs provided through the STEM outreach office.

We also encourage students to attend the MIT Educational Studies Programs. These range from single weekend events to multi-week classes taught by volunteer MIT graduate and undergraduate students for grades 7-12.