Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Fixed-Term: 36 months 

Full-time: 35 hours per week  

We are looking for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the laboratory of Sebastian Greiss at the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh. The successful candidate will conduct original research at the intersection of synthetic biology and neurobiology, developing and applying state of the art in vivo tools in C. elegans. 

The Opportunity:

We have developed novel optogenetic tools for C. elegans that allow us to functionally dissect the nervous system with single cell precision in freely moving animals. Our approach uses genetic code expansion to incorporate photo-caged non-canonical amino acids site specifically into proteins allowing us to control their activity in situ. We have developed photo-activatable DNA recombinases such as Cre that allow us to switch on expression of target genes including optogenetic channels with single cell precision. For background see: PMC8448529; PMC9122531.

We now apply this technology to investigate, with unparalleled precision, how neuronal circuits generate behaviour. The postdoctoral project will leverage genetic code expansion to generate and apply novel neurobiology tools to study of neural circuits with a single cell resolution.

The lab is integrated in the vibrant research environment of the Edinburgh Neuroscience community. The successful candidate will be part of a multi-lab C. elegans research environment at the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences. 

Funding is available for three years. The post is full-time (35 hours per week).

Your skills and attributes for success:

• A PhD or equivalent degree in neuroscience, synthetic biology or related life-sciences area (awarded or expected) 
• Solid background in relevant experimental approaches and methods, such as molecular biology, microscopy and genetics.
• Experience in synthetic biology, neurobiology, or strong expertise in the C. elegans model organism.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly, orally and in writing 

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