Postdoctoral position in Neuroscience : Neural network involved during attention to odors

Postdoctoral position in Neuroscience: Neural network involved during attention to odors

Position: Post-doctoral Position

Deadline: 21 April 2023

Employment Start Date: 1 June 2023

Contract Length: 2 years

City: Lyon

Country: France

Institution: Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, UCBL, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028

Description:

Missions

This project is part of an ANR-funded program (SniffAttention) in which we propose to use the olfactory modality, a dominant sense for rodents, to study attention in rats. One of the aims of this project is to decipher the neural network involved during a sustained olfactory attention task in rodents. We also want to test the hypothesis that respiration can serve as an effective metronome to synchronize the areas of this neural network. To answer these questions, we combine behavioral experiments in rats, multi-site local field potentials recordings (simultaneously in the piriform cortex, mediodorsal thalamus …) and respiration recording (using a whole-body plethysmograph).

Activities

The postdoctoral researcher is expected to conduct behavioral experiments and carry out the recordings in rats. The post-doctoral researcher will be in charge of the behavioral training of the rats. The task is already set-up and thus won’t require piloting. The researcher will also be in charge of the surgery (electrodes implantation). Finally, an important part of the work will be to perform data analysis (e.g. coherence or Phase Amplitude Coupling). The candidate will be able to develop independently the tools necessary to analyze the data, starting from our strong catalogue of tools written in Python.
The candidate will be expected to present their data to the PI and the team. The candidate will also be encouraged to present their results to the journal clubs in the CRNL and at international meetings

Skills

A PhD in neurosciences or a related field is required to start the position. The start of the position can be adjusted.
– Experience in rodent surgery and in-vivo electrophysiological recordings
– Experience in analyzing electrophysiological data and using a programming language (Python, Matlab…)
– Experience with rodent behavior is a plus
– Good English Skills
– Strong Team Spirit
Not mandatory but appreciated European formations for animal experimentation and surgery.

Junior candidates are welcome.

The Lab

The CRNL is a UCBL-CNRS-INSERM research unit based in Lyon (France, https://www.crnl.fr/en?language=en). The CRNL is one of the biggest Neuroscience Centers in France with over 400 members.
The CRNL is located in the Vinatier hospital in a new building (opened in 2019) with brand new animal facility and excellent technical facilities. The CRNL has several journal clubs (journal club oscillations, student club…: https://www.crnl.fr/en/page-base/crnl-life?language=en ; https://www.crnl.fr/en/page-base/student-life?language=en) where it is easy to interact. The CRNL also hosts many conferences on broad neuroscience Topics.
Our team (CMO) is recognized for its expertise in olfaction. Our team is composed of 11 researchers as well as engineers, PhD and Master students (https://www.crnl.fr/en/equipe/cmo).
Regarding our city, Lyon is a beautiful city and one of the biggest cities in France. In addition to many museums, theaters…, it is also a great location for outdoorsy (1 hour away from the Alps, 2 hours from the Mediterranean Sea and with easy access to the countryside).

Applicants from outside European Union are invited to apply; if they are selected to work on the project, they will have to obtain a VISA (not covered by the project).

Application

==>Please apply through this website : https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR5292-EMMCOU-002/Default.aspx?lang=…

The application shall include the following documents: a cover letter including motivation, research interests and long-term goals; a curriculum vitae with highlights of the main results (published or not); and details of someone you worked with and could write you a recommendation letter if needed.