This ethnopharmacology project will involve patch clamp and  extracellular recordings using  rat hippocampus and xenophus  oocytes to determine  the GABA,NMDA,AMPA effects of plant biocompounds as well as animal behaviour in relation to plant biocompounds These important studies will provide new data on diverse plant biocompounds and to  develop new treatments for medical problems concerning learning and memory .

The two applicants should possess a PhD or equivalent degree with experience in1) patch clamp,extracellular recordings or more in the fields of electroneurophysiology research fields.  The successful postdoc/scientist must be able to perform current- or voltage-clamp recording with hippocampal brain slices and dissociated neurons as well as whole-cell patch recording as well as designing the  experiment and  doing the statistical evaluations 2) Animal Behaviour using animal behaviour equipment such as Active/Passive Avoidance ,Water Morris ,different type of Mazes and many other behaviour  tests ..The postdoc must be able to communicate in  reasonable good English and thus transfer the results onto scientific publications.  Previous postdoctoral training is required. The electrophysiology equipment currently available is from NPI of Germany. The animal behaviour are from Panlab, Colburn and many other vendors. The department  provides training at the undergraduate, postgraduate and post doctoral levels in clinical and basic neurosciences. The Department of Neurosciences, USM can be viewed at http://www.medic.usm.my/~neurosciences/

Salary depends on experience and education and the  duration is for 1 to 3 years and may be extended depending on funding. The candidate if an excellent one may be invited to be a  junior faculty member. The position is immediately available and is fixed term for one year extending up to 3 years.
The following documents should be enclosed with your application:

• A completed application form(an email with the form attached will be sent once contact is made with the Head of Department)
• A Curriculum Vitae
• A copy of your qualification certificates
• A description of future research interests and scientific goals (a maximum of two pages)

To apply: Please sent application to Prof Jafri Malin Abdullah at deptneurosciencesppspusm@yahoo.com or neurohead@kck.usm.my

Please vist www.usm.my and read the full English version of the description of University Sains Malaysia

The University in a Garden concept as conceptualized by USM is designed to depict the close affinity between its role and function as an institution of higher learning and nature amidst a garden setting. The flora, fauna, aquatic elements and other natural creations are dynamically linked in the exploration into the nature of existence. The concept invites us to preserve the campus greenery as part of efforts to develop an intellectual world/setting. We need to kindle the spirit and practice of conserving the campus environment in the hearts and minds of each campus citizenry, in fact, continually nurture the love and appreciation of the grandeur of nature and the ecology as bequeathed to us by God.

To raise the awareness of all parties about these efforts, various elements were accorded specific attention. These elements include the ratio of existing land development, the beauty of flora and fauna, the lake and its tranquil surrounds, design and architectural features as well as the practices of the campus citizenry. This noble effort has generated a breathtakingly incomparable view/setting reflecting a serene and scenic campus infused with humanistic values. USM has indeed become an exemplary and enviable model garden university. It is a harmoniously organized garden campus that provides a platform for intellectual discourse into the exploration of human nature - who we are, how we attain insights and how we should fashion our future existence