ERC funded Postdoctoral position available on the assembly and function of neuronal networks for nav

The Biozentrum of the University of Basel is one of the leading life sciences institutes in the world. It consists of 30 groups and 500 employees that research how molecules and cells create life, spanning the scale from atom to organism. Founded in 1971, the Biozentrum has been the birthplace of many fundamental discoveries in biology and medicine, spawning several Nobel Laureates.

An ERC-funded postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Prof. Flavio Donato at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland.

Your position

The mission of the Donato lab is to understand the underlying principles that drive the assembly and function of neuronal circuits for navigation and memory. To reach our aims, we use a vast array of cutting-edge techniques, like the ultrasound-guided injection of viral vectors for neural circuit tracing, calcium imaging, single-unit recordings, opto and chemogenetics, coupled to a quantitative approach for the study of mouse behavior and advanced computational approaches for the analysis of big datasets. By these means, we are able to follow the activity of large populations of neurons longitudinally, from infancy to adulthood, to understand how cognition arises in the mammalian brain. For more information, please visit our lab websites at www.donatolab.com , and https://www.biozentrum.unibas.ch /research/researchgroups/overview/unit/donato.

Your profile

We are looking for a highly motivated, ambitious, passionate, and creative scientist who wants to dissect fundamental questions in developmental, systems, and behavioral neuroscience, and has the necessary dedication and attitude to address them in a systematic and scientifically rigorous way.

The ideal candidate has obtained or is about to complete a PhD in neuroscience or a STEM-related discipline, has a strong track record, and wishes to pursue an academic career. The successful candidate will have very good quantitative and data analysis skills, coding skills in MATLAB and/or Python, and a demonstrated ability to work independently. Applicants with a background in mathematics, physics, engineering, and/or computer science are strongly encouraged to apply. They are expected to lead their own projects, contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis, and mentor PhD students. The ability to work both independently and in teams is expected, along with good written and oral communication skills in English. Previous experience with one or more of the following is highly desirable, but not strictly necessary: physiology techniques (two-photon microscopy, electrophysiology), and mouse behavior, handling, and surgeries.

We offer you

The position is funded by and ERC Starting grant, and offers the opportunity to join a newly established lab where you will be able to count on full support from a PI who is strongly committed to your technical and conceptual training, mentorship, and career development. You will have access to an interdisciplinary and international young team of enthusiastic scientists, with generous help from state-of-the-art facilities, and a lively and vibrant scientific community within the Biozentrum and the larger Basel Neuroscience Network. You will have the chance, the responsibility, and freedom to shape, lead, and present your research projects.

Basel is an international city with people from 150 nations. Located on the border where Switzerland, Germany, and France meet, Basel is one of Europe's most important life sciences hub, and provides a high standard of living and a rich and varied cultural atmosphere.