Postdoctoral Fellow - P Znamenskiy Lab

Location: The Francis Crick Institute, Midland Road, London

Short summary

The Znamenskiy lab studies the relationship between in vivo function, synaptic organization, and molecular identity of cortical neurons. Using the primary visual cortex as a model, we aim to understand how connections between different neuronal cell types are organized and how this organization enables the computations that they perform. To this end, we combine the approaches of systems and molecular neuroscience and develop new tools to relate gene expression and connectivity with the activity of cortical neurons. Specifically, we have been investigating how visual cortical circuits enable animals to parse the three-dimensional organisation of visual scenes.

Key Responsibilities

We have recently discovered that a large fraction of neurons in the primary visual cortex are selective for depth from motion parallax. This selectivity is a consequence of integration of optic flow and locomotion-related signals. This project will build on these findings to understand how depth-selective responses are transformed across the visual cortical hierarchy and how they arise in early visual circuits.

To answer these questions, this project will use chronic two- and three-photon calcium imaging in mice navigating in three-dimensional virtual reality (VR) environments, pharmacological and optogenetic manipulation of neural activity, and high-density electrophysiological recordings in VR and in freely moving animals.

Postdoctoral Training Fellows will lead their own projects, contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis (both in the lab and with external collaborators) and may guide PhD students in their research. The ability to work in a team is essential.

Key experience and competencies

• PhD in Neuroscience or a related field or in the final stages of PhD submission
• Good knowledge and experience in in vivo calcium imaging or electrophysiology
• Experience in data analysis in Python or MATLAB

About us

The Francis Crick Institute is a biomedical discovery institute dedicated to understanding the fundamental biology underlying health and disease. Its work is helping to understand why disease develops and to translate discoveries into new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, infections, and neurodegenerative diseases.

An independent organisation, its founding partners are the Medical Research Council (MRC), Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, UCL (University College London), Imperial College London and King’s College London.

The Crick was formed in 2015, and in 2016 it moved into a new state-of-the-art building in central London which brings together 1500 scientists and support staff working collaboratively across disciplines, making it the biggest biomedical research facility under in one building in Europe.

The Francis Crick Institute will be world-class with a strong national role. Its distinctive vision for excellence includes commitments to collaboration; developing emerging talent and exporting it the rest of the UK; public engagement; and helping turn discoveries into treatments as quickly as possible to improve lives and strengthen the economy. 

• If you are interested in applying for this role, please apply via our website.
• The closing date for applications is 27/10/2024
• All offers of employment are subject to successful security screening and continuous eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.

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