Postdoctoral Fellow- P Znamenskiy Lab

About the role

Using the primary visual cortex as a model, the Znamenskiy lab aims to understand how connections between different neuronal cell types are organized and how this organization enables the computations that they perform.

If you hold a PhD in Neuroscience or a related field or in the final stages of PhD submission, this may be the perfect opportunity to join the lab.

The lab combines the approaches of systems and molecular neuroscience and develops new tools to relate gene expression and connectivity with the activity of cortical neurons. Specifically, the lab has been investigating how visual cortical circuits enable animals to parse the three-dimensional organisation of visual scenes.

This role will offer you the chance to lead on your own projects, and also work in a team to contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis (both in the lab and with external collaborators) and this may also include guiding PhD students in their research.

What you will be doing

We have recently discovered that a large fraction of neurons in the primary visual cortex are selective for depth from motion parallax (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.09.27.615442v1). 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.

Key Responsibilities

Essential

• 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
• Track record of writing papers as evidenced by publications or submitted manuscripts in referred journals
• Evidence of data presentation at scientific meetings

Desirable

• Experience in stereotactic surgery in mice

About us

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. 

The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research.

• If you are interested in applying for this role, please apply via the 'Apply' button.
• The closing date for applications is 02/02/2025
• All offers of employment are subject to successful security screening and continuous eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.

Advert information