Postdoctoral researcher in Neuroscience (M/F)

Job Description

Missions

The Neurophysiology and Behavior team at the ESPCI Paris is recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher to work with Dr. Lauren Reynolds in the context of her ERC Starting Grant DeMARRe. This project aims to test whether participating in normative adolescent behaviors, such as exploration or risk-taking in a decision-making context, influences neural circuit development to calibrate psychiatric vulnerability and resilience in adulthood.

The successful candidate will take a central role in the project, by leading experimental work combining behavioral, brain mapping, and neurophysiological studies in mice. The postdoctoral project will specifically focus on assessing changes in functional network organization (identified by TRAP/cFOS activity mapping) across decision making in adolescence, in parallel to the maturation of task strategy, and causally linking these changes to adult cognitive and psychiatric-relevant behavioral outcomes.

Activity

– Perform behavioral testing in adolescent and adult mice
– Histological processing, including tissue clearing with iDISCO,
– Quantitative microscopy using confocal and lightsheet imaging
– Carry out stereotaxic viral injections, implant electrodes and fibers
– Perform fiber photometry recordings (GCaMP, GRABDA) and optogenetic perturbation experiments
– Co-supervise PhD and Master students and contribute to the daily scientific life of the team/laboratory
– Participate in literature review and bibliography, present in team meetings
– Write peer-reviewed manuscripts and present results at international conferences

Your Profil

Skills

Required qualifications
– PhD in Neuroscience (or a closely related field)
– Hands-on experience with mouse behavior
– Solid programming skills for data analysis (R and Python)
– Proven ability to lead an experimental project and write scientific articles
– Strong oral and written communication in English

Highly desirable
– Background in developmental neuroscience studies (particularly in adolescent mice)
– Up-to-date qualifications to work with mice in France/Europe (Concepteur, surgical, continuing training)
– Experience with brain clearing, lightsheet imaging, network analyses of brain activity (cFOS)
– Experience with reinforcement learning and computational modeling of decision-making
– Experience with viral vector injection and brain histology in mice
– Track record of peer-reviewed publications

Your Work Environment

The Neurophysiology and Behavior team (lead by Philippe Faure and Alexandre Mourot - www.faurelab.cnrs.fr) is part of the Brain Plasticity Laboratory at the ESPCI Paris, a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment which consists of 7 teams working on brain plasticity at all levels, from drosophila to mouse models. The laboratory is located in a new, custom-built building, which contains shared state-of-the-art animal facility and microscopy platforms. The ESPCI is part of PSL Research University, with close ties to teams in other PSL units. Outside of the ESPCI, Paris hosts a vibrant neuroscience community, with access to seminars and events across institutions.

We offer:
– A stimulating, collaborative environment research environment in the heart of Paris
– Access to all shared resources within the team and across the Brain Plasticity Laboratory
– Scientific training across all aspects of the project (behavior, brain clearing, analysis etc)
– Mentoring and support for grant writing and research independence
– Financial support for conference attendance, training, and career development opportunities
– 2-year secured funding through the ERC Starting grant with potential for extension
– Public employee benefits, including a reimbursement of 75% the cost of Navigo pass.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

starting from 3131€ brut commensurate with 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