Postdoctoral Research Position (M/F)

Job Description

Missions

• Implement and optimize Go/NoGo and FlexCat auditory behavioral tasks for head-fixed mice
• Perform simultaneous acute Neuropixels recordings in auditory cortex and prefrontal subregions
• Carry out stereotaxic viral injections, optogenetic perturbation experiments, and associated histological processing (CUBIC tissue clearing, probe track recovery, Allen Atlas registration)
• Analyze large-scale neural datasets using spike sorting pipelines (SpikeInterface / Kilosort) and population decoding methods (SVM, logistic regression, tensor component analysis)
• Contribute to the integration and calibration of the AudioSphere stimulation system
• Co-supervise PhD and Master students and contribute to the daily scientific life of the laboratory
• Write peer-reviewed manuscripts and present results at international conferences

Activity

The team is newly established at the CRNL, funded by an ATIP-Avenir 2025 grant, the CNRS, and the Fondation pour l'Audition. We study the neuronal circuit mechanisms underlying auditory categorization — one of the fundamental cognitive operations linking sensory perception to abstract knowledge and action. Our approach combines high-density Neuropixels electrophysiology, optogenetics, and novel behavioral paradigms in head-fixed mice, structured around three complementary research programs:

• WP1. Determine the distinct spatial auditory categories that mice can report (elevation, distance, motion), using the novel AudioSphere spatialized stimulation system.
• WP2. Characterize the neuronal circuits subtending flexible auditory categorization, with simultaneous recordings of auditory and prefrontal cortices during the FlexCat task.
• WP3. Establish the emotional dimension of natural sound categorization, combining physiological monitoring, facial expression tracking, and Neuropixels recordings during naturalistic auditory stimulation.

The postdoctoral fellow will play a central role in WP1 and WP2, overseeing behavioral training, electrophysiological recordings, optogenetic perturbation experiments, viral tracing experiments, and large-scale data analysis.

Your Profil

Skills

Required qualifications

• PhD in Neuroscience, Bioengineering, or a closely related field
• Hands-on experience with at least one of: in vivo electrophysiology (silicon probes or tetrodes), rodent behavioral training, or optogenetics
• Solid programming skills in Python, Julia, or MATLAB for data analysis
• Ability to lead an experimental project autonomously
• Strong oral and written communication in English

Highly desirable

• Experience with Neuropixels probes and spike sorting (Kilosort, SpikeInterface)
• Familiarity with viral vector injection and brain histology in rodents
• Experience with machine learning methods for neural decoding
• Background in auditory behavioral paradigms or signal detection theory
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications

Your Work Environment

What we offer

• A stimulating, collaborative environment at the interface of systems neuroscience, bioacoustics, and ethology
• State-of-the-art equipment: Neuropixels 1.0 and 2.0 probes, high-speed video, optogenetics platforms, confocal microscopy, and the novel AudioSphere 3D acoustic stimulation system
• Direct training by the PI across all aspects of the project (behavior, electrophysiology, analysis, scientific writing)
• Access to HPC clusters (GPU) and data management infrastructure at the CRNL
• A rich scientific ecosystem with local experts in spike sorting (Samuel Garcia, SpikeInterface core team) and circuit neurosciences (FORGETTING team, CRNL)
• External collaboration with the Laboratoire de Mécanique et d'Acoustique (LMA, Marseille) for AudioSphere development
• Support for conference attendance and career development opportunities
• 2-year secured funding through the ATIP-Avenir grant, with opportunities for extension

Work environment

The laboratory is embedded within the CRNL (Lyon), a major French neuroscience institute grouping over 25 research teams with expertise spanning cellular processes, electrophysiology, behavior, and computational neuroscience. Beyond the CRNL, Lyon hosts a vibrant neuroscientific community with experts in cognition and ethology. The institute provides access to central workshops, imaging facilities (confocal microscopes, tissue clearing), animal housing, and computing infrastructure. Lyon is an internationally ranked city with excellent quality of life, a thriving cultural scene, and outstanding transport links (TGV, international airport).

Constraints and risks

This position is suited to a candidate motivated by a demanding and multidisciplinary research environment. The project involves a significant technical learning curve, particularly in simultaneously mastering multi-probe Neuropixels recordings, auditory behavioral protocols, and optogenetic manipulations. As the AudioSphere is a system currently under development, part of the experimental work will depend on its timely commissioning; contingency plans are nonetheless in place to ensure scientific continuity. Finally, as in any project involving rodent behavioral training, data acquisition timelines may vary depending on individual animal performance. These challenges are an inherent part of high-risk, high-reward fundamental research and will be tackled collectively within the team.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Starting from €3,071 gross per month depending on experience.

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions