Missions

The postdoctoral fellow will be tasked with developing 2-photon imaging combined with in vivo optogenetic stimulation of the larval brain of Drosophila melanogaster.

Activités

- Literature review and data compilation
- Planning and carrying out genetic crosses
- Planning and carrying out in vivo 2-photon imaging experiments
- Data analysis and drafting of laboratory notebooks
- Data editing and regular communication with the research team
- Scientific communication (drafting of scientific publications, participation in conferences)
We study the fundamental principles underlying associative learning by exploring the brain of the Drosophila larva. This system is said to be 'minimalist', as it has little or no neuronal redundancy, enabling the functional study of individual neurons. In addition, the learning circuit has a high level of recurrence (feedback loops). Using a combination of neurogenetic tools, advanced behavioral analyses, in vivo imaging and connectome mapping, we aim at understanding how these recurrent loops influence memory formation and decision-making. For this project, the researcher will test, by imaging genetically encoded biosensors, how the neuronal response to different stimuli (artificial, via optogenetics, or natural) evolves with learning.

Compétences

PhD in neuroscience or related field
- The candidate should have experience with Drosophila melanogaster and/or calcium imaging (confocal or 2-photon).
- Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English are expected
- Basic skills in statistics and programming (e.g. Python or Matlab) is required. If the candidate has more advanced skills, they will be greatly appreciated!

Contexte de travail

The post-doctoral researcher recruited under this vacancy will work in the Paris-Saclay Neuroscience Institute, in the Recurrent Circuits, Learning and Memory team, located on the CEA Saclay campus, 151 route de la rotonde 91400 Saclay. The candidate will report to the team leader, Ms Claire ESCHBACH.
This project has been awarded an ATIP-Avenir grant starting in 2024. We are working within the general theoretical framework of reinforcement learning, developing a multi-scale study of this process. This type of approach is ideally suited to the NeuroPSI institute https://neuropsi.cnrs.fr/, where all the necessary equipment is available.