UE07: £40,247 pa - £47,874 pa
CMVM/Edinburgh Medical School/Deanery of Biomedical Sciences/Centre for Discovery Brain sciences
Full-time, 35 hours per week
Fixed-Term, 2 years in first instance with possibility of extension.
The Opportunity:
We are looking for a motivated postdoctoral researcher to conduct basic research into sensorimotor plasticity in the visual cortex of mice, by utilizing virtual reality systems alongside in vivo whole cell recordings, plasticity paradigms, imaging, and/or optogenetics.
You will conduct research aimed at investigating single neuron sensorimotor plasticity in behaving mice. This will involve developing novel plasticity paradigms using in vivo whole cell recordings during mouse behaviour in virtual reality environments. You will go on to use optogenetics to interrogate the contribution of individual circuit elements and neuromodulatory inputs to the plasticity that is found. There would also be the opportunity to use two-photon microscopy in vivo. The research forms part of an ERC funded project ‘Learn2predict’.
This post is full-time (35 hours per week).
Your skills and attributes for success:
1. Appropriate degree with relevant post-graduate research experience. Usually a PhD (or PhD near completion) in Neuroscience/Physiology/Pharmacology or equivalent professional qualification and/or experience.
2. Experience working with rodents.
3. Applicants must hold or be willing to obtain a Home Office Personal Licence (PIL) for working with mice.
4. Strong experience in electrophysiology and/or in vivo neuroscience methods.
5. Be able to demonstrate specific interest in the topic of cortical plasticity and/or neuromodulation.
6. Ability to communicate complex information clearly, orally, and in writing.