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Job Title: Research Scientist IV, Pardes ScholarGrade: 29Salary: $114,700 - $136,655The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene is seeking a qualified candidate to fill a full-time Research Scientist IV, Pardes Scholar position.The role focuses on how early-life environment and serotonin (5-HT) signaling influence the maturation of neural circuits underlying fear, anxiety, and emotional regulation. The successful candidate will investigate developmental psychopathology by addressing how adaptive fear circuits respond to early-life insults and become disrupted across the lifespan.Duties and Responsibilities:The candidate will be responsible for the following daily tasks and key functions: Conduct independent research investigating the developmental origins of psychiatric disorders, specifically focusing on the dorsal raphe-periaqueductal gray (DR-PAG) pathway. Utilize sophisticated circuit neuroscience techniques, including fiber photometry, optogenetics, RNAscope, and CRISPR-Cas9 gene silencing. Implement and script automated behavioral pose estimation protocols using deep-learning-based tools such as DeepLabCut and MoSeq. Prepare and submit independent grant applications to support laboratory operations and external funding. Provide direct supervision and mentoring for undergraduate and graduate students, including overseeing senior theses and summer research internships. Serve as a journal reviewer and editor, organize departmental seminar series, and participate in science outreach initiatives.Minimum Qualifications: Bachelors degree and five years of professional research experience in Neuroscience, Medical Sciences, or a closely related field or masters degree in an appropriate field may substitute for one year of experience, or Ph.D. in an appropriate field may substitute for an additional year of experience. Significant postdoctoral research experience (typically 4+ years) in developmental neuroscience or neural circuit mapping. A strong track record of first-author publications in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals such as Nature Communications or Molecular Psychiatry. Proven experience with rodent behavioral models and stereotaxic surgery.Preferred Qualifications: Specialized knowledge in serotonin (5-HT) signaling and its role in threat-processing and innate fear. Demonstrated success in securing extramural funding, such as NIH K-awards or institutional pilot grants. Proficiency in data analysis and scripting for automated behavioral analysis. Experience working in interdisciplinary, cross-species translational research environments. Fluency in multiple languages to facilitate international collaborations.Work Location: 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032To Apply: Submit an application through our website at Please note only applications submitted through our website will be considered.The Mission of the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. (RFMH) is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a focus on providing hope and supporting recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. Applicants with lived mental health experience are encouraged to apply. RFMH is deeply committed to supporting underserved individuals, organizations, and communities. To this end, RFMH is focused on implementing activities and initiatives to reduce disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for underserved populations. A critical component of these efforts is ensuring that RFMH is a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees' unique attributes and skills are valued and utilized to support the mission of the Agency. RFMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.The Research Foundation is a private not-for-profit corporation an