Two positions (*one postdoc and one research assistant/post-bac*) in the laboratory of Dr. Carmen Varela (Psychology Department, Florida Atlantic University; https://www.varelalab.org/) to investigate the role of the thalamus in sleep-dependent memory consolidation. *Keywords*: behaving rodent extracellular electrophysiology, cell population dynamics, thalamic circuits, learning and memory, sleep consolidation, synaptic plasticity, mRNA translation. Start date flexible within 2021. *Project 1 (postdoc; 3 years with possibility of extension):* Cell population dynamics of spike activity in thalamic cells during learning and subsequent NREM sleep consolidation. *Project 2 (research assistant; 1-2 years with possibility of extension):* Synaptic changes evoked by thalamic activity during sleep-dependent memory consolidation. **** Requirements **** Interested candidates please send your curriculum and a brief description of your research interests to varelac@fau.edu We are looking for team-oriented candidates, ideally with prior experience with rodent behavior and electrophysiology. Candidates selected for an interview will be asked to provide contact information for up to three references. **** What you get **** · Work on exciting and impactful projects to understand the contribution of higher order thalamic cells to learning and memory. · Develop research skills using state-of-the-art systems, molecular and computational neuroscience techniques. · Mentorship, supportive lab environment, in a rapidly growing neuroscience campus. *Location**:* The Varela laboratory is located in FAU’s Jupiter campus, a rapidly growing neuroscience hub, which also hosts our partners the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and Scripps Research Institute. Best, Carmen Varela, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Psychology Department Florida Atlantic University MC-19, room 106 Jupiter, FL 33458