The Jernigan Lab (https://www.christophermjernigan.com/) is seeking to hire a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher beginning as early as October 2026 supported by an NIH R00 Award (R00EY03504) to study the development and experience-dependent tuning of socially selective neural circuits in the northern paper wasp, Polistes fuscatus.
The Jernigan lab studies the neurobiology, behavior, and development of social processing in Polistes fuacatus paper wasps. These wasps can recognize and discriminate individual social partners via color patterning present on their faces, and this ability is dependent upon social experience in early life.
Applicants should have a strong publication record appropriate for their career stage and *ideally* have experience with neuroanatomy and neurophysiological techniques (e.g. electrophysiology, neuroimaging, and laser confocal microscopy), coding experience in python and/or MATLAB, and be comfortable working with live wasps. Top candidates will have excellent communication skills, enthusiasm for neuroethology, neuroscience, and social behavior and have a compelling argument that explains why their skillset will advance this line of work while also proposing additional projects of interest.
The successful applicant will work closely with Dr. Jernigan and his students in research design, data collection and management, statistical analysis, publication writing, and animal field collection and care while in the lab.
Wake Forest University is located in beautiful Winston-Salem, NC, USA. Winston-Salem is an affordable city with a moderate climate, easy commute, access to nature, arts, and the amenities of a metropolitan city. The Biology Department is a vibrant and growing community of researchers that span the full range of biology with 8 faculty (4 recent hires) specializing in the fields of neuroscience, neuroethology, and behavior. WFU has also recently established a focus in Neuroscience and Society with additional devoted resources to support neuroscience research, seminars, and collaboration across WFU.
For more information please contact: chris.jernigan@wfu.edu
If you are interested, please send your CV including a list of publications, a letter of motivation, and a 1-2 page statement describing your past research and a proposed research plan to chris.jernigan@wfu.edu by September 1st, 2026. Funding will be available for this position for up to 3 years with annual renewal. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience. This position will remain open until filled. Starting date is flexible.
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