Research Associate - Electrophysiology (microelectrode array)

The Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB) is seeking a highly motivated Research Scientist to take part in IOB's vision restoration development program. The candidate will be integrated in the Ophthalmic Translation Research Group led by Bence Gyorgy and the Quantitative Visual Physiology Group led by Felix Franke.

IOB is a research institute combining basic and clinical research. Its mission is to drive innovations in understanding vision and its diseases and develop new therapies for vision loss. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your abilities challenged, and your knowledge expanded.

We seek an exemplary scientist to join our efforts in developing therapies for vision loss. The successful candidate will pursue experimental work in testing optogenetic, sensor-based gene therapy vectors to restore photosensitivity in the retina. The candidate will use microelectrode array (MEA) technologies in post-mortem human retinas. The successful candidate will also perform data analysis of the recordings and work closely with other experimentalists and data analysts at IOB.

The ideal candidate will have a background in electrophysiology and related data analysis techniques including strong programming skills and be familiar with a broad array of work in neuroscience, including optogenetics and its applications in teasing apart circuit physiology

Your position

• Perform MEA recordings on human retinal explants on a regular basis;
• Regular travel to Budapest to perform MEA recordings in the local IOB facility;
• Analyze recordings using an existing data analysis pipeline;
• Improve and develop data analysis pipelines;
• Contribute to scientific ideas;
• Work with high flexibility and willingness to perform experiments outside normal working hours;
• Maintain clear and accurate communication with supervisor and other team members.

Your profile

• PhD or equivalent experience in Neuroscience or related discipline;
• Experience with MEA recordings is a strong plus;
• Strong computational/data analysis skills; ideally programming in Python and/or Matlab.
• Track record of scientific excellence and independent thinking;
• Ability to meet timelines and deliverables in a collaborative environment;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English;
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• The position will involve travel to Budapest, Hungary, on a regular basis
• Attendance and participation in national and international conferences required.

We offer you

IOB offers an innovative, interdisciplinary, and collaborative research environment in a dynamic and international research community in Basel as well as a competitive salary The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for a total duration of 5 years with a possibility for further extension.