Job ID: 98631

ERC-funded postdoc position in experimental neuroscience at SISSA

Position: Post-doctoral Position

Deadline: 24 January 2023

City: Trieste

Country: Italy

Institution: SISSA

Department:

Description:

The lab of Katja Reinhard, PhD, in the department of Neuroscience at SISSA (Trieste, Italy) offers a postdoc positions (up to 4 years) to study how brain circuits enable behavioural flexibility. www.reinhardlab.org

Project & main techniques: Animals react to threat or stimuli of interest with innate behaviours including escape, freezing and approach. Our goal is to investigate how rodents adjust these innate reactions to different ecologically relevant contexts, in particular ambient light and circadian rhythm. In addition, we aim to understand how behavioural flexibility evolved in related species from different niches. Candidates will use visual stimuli in combination with in-vivo electrophysiology (Neuropixels), imaging techniques (MiniScopes) and behaviour tracking in rodents as well as viral tracing and neuromodulatory techniques to reveal how stimulus and behaviour encoding changes with context, and to understand where and how context information is integrated with visual threat.

Your Profile: Scientist with an (expected) PhD degree in Neuroscience or a relevant field, the ability to plan and coordinate their work independently and strong data analysis skills are encouraged to apply. Expertise in one of the following techniques is preferred: (in-vivo) electrophysiology, calcium imaging, behaviour tracking, viral tracing and surgeries, rodent experimentation. Some knowledge in sensory-motor processing or circadian rhythm is a plus. We are looking for collaborative, creative and driven scientists who will enrich the lab with their ideas, contributions and technical abilities.

What we offer: A strong expertise in visuo-motor processing and hands-on training in cutting-edge techniques (see e.g. Tikidji-Hamburyan et al. 2015; Reinhard et al. 2019; Sans-Dublanc et al. 2021). SISSA provides a collaborative environment with cellular and cognitive neuroscientists, and genomics and data science experts (https://www.sissa.it/neuroscience; https://datascience.sissa.it/) . The PI strongly encourages attendance of conferences and summer schools, and provides support with career development. Candidates will profit from frequent exchange of ideas and brainstorming in a friendly and motivating lab environment as well as a competitive salary and services such as on-site childcare.

How to apply: Send your CV, contact information of 2-3 references, and a motivation letter including research and career goals to katja.reinhard@sissa.it.