Postdoctoral scholarship in Integrative Neurophysiology – focusing on corticostriatal circuits and control of behavior

How do corticostriatal circuits support the selection and execution of behavior, and how are they altered in Parkinson’s disease and levodopa-induced dyskinesia? Our group investigates these questions across complementary experimental projects. The specific focus of the scholarship will be developed with the candidate and the research group, taking into account the candidate’s interests and experience as well as current project priorities. The work may focus on circuit function during behavior, disease-related changes in Parkinson’s disease models, or a combination of these.

Project description

One current research direction examines how coordinated inputs from posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and secondary motor cortex (M2) shape activity in the dorsal striatum and contribute to action selection. Depending on the project focus, you may work on this question, investigate corticostriatal changes in Parkinson’s disease models—including models of levodopa-induced dyskinesia—or connect these lines of research.

The work may combine behavioral experiments with in vivo measurements of striatal activity and targeted stimulation of cortical inputs. Methods may include two-photon calcium imaging, in vivo patch-clamp, optogenetics, and electrophysiological recordings. You will help refine the research question and lead the experimental work and interpretation of findings in collaboration with the research group.

Main duties

Develop and conduct experiments on how corticostriatal interactions shape striatal activity and behavior.
Use and refine relevant in vivo methods and experimental models in line with the focus of the subproject.
Analyze and interpret results, and lead manuscript work arising from the project.

The post-doctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirement must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the decision about scholarship recipient.

Priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years before the application deadline. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree before that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organizations, military service, or similar circumstances, or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.

A PhD in neuroscience, physiology, or another relevant field.
Experience in experimental in vivo physiology. Experience with at least one advanced in vivo method is important; proficiency in every method used in the project is not expected.
Good written and spoken English.
The ability to plan experiments, develop a scientific question, and pursue it through to publication.

Additional merits

Experience with chronic recording methods, two-photon microscopy, in vivo patch-clamp, optogenetics, viral methods, or behavioral experiments.
Experience with Parkinson’s disease models or levodopa-induced dyskinesia.
Programming and quantitative data-analysis skills.