PhD student in neuroscience “Cholinergic modulation of cortical neuronal activity and perceptual performance” (M/F)
New
- FTC PhD student / Offer for thesis
- 36 month
- Doctorate
This offer is available in English version
This offer is open to people with a document recognizing their status as a disabled worker.
Offer at a glance
The Unit
Institut Interdisciplinaire de Neurosciences
Contract Type
FTC PhD student / Offer for thesis
Working hHours
Full Time
Workplace
33076 BORDEAUX
Contract Duration
36 month
Date of Hire
01/10/2026
Remuneration
2300 € gross monthly
Apply Application Deadline : 22 July 2026 23:59
Job Description
Thesis Subject
Cholinergic modulation of cortical neuronal activity and perceptual performance.
In this project, the student will combine state-of-the-art optical imaging techniques with electrophysiological approaches to determine the spatio-temporal organisation of cholinergic activity and its impact on local neuronal dynamics. Cholinergic signalling will be imaged in vivo using a genetically encoded acetylcholine (GACh) sensor, virally expressed throughout the dorsal cortex via neonatal injection. Wide-field single-photon imaging will enable the capture of global cholinergic dynamics across several cortical regions, notably the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and the visual cortex (V1). To establish a direct link between cholinergic signals and neuronal activity, cholinergic imaging will be combined with Neuropixels recordings in the sensory cortex, enabling the correlation of acetylcholine activity with neuronal firing activity and the dynamics of neuronal populations.
The experiments will be carried out on mice performing sensory detection tasks, the demands of which will be systematically modulated. The main paradigm will be a tactile detection task based on whiskers, in which the intensity of the stimulus will modulate the difficulty of the task, supplemented by a visual detection task in order to assess cholinergic dynamics that are specific to a single sensory modality or common to several modalities. By linking cholinergic activity to behavioural performance, task difficulty, sensory modality and local neuronal activity, this project will provide a better understanding of how cholinergic signalling organises cortical states in space and time to support perception under different behavioural constraints.
Your Work Environment
Established on 1 January 2011, the Interdisciplinary Institute of Neurosciences (IINS) is a joint research unit affiliated with the CNRS and the University of Bordeaux. With a staff of 170 people spread across 13 teams, the IINS brings together multidisciplinary expertise to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in brain activity. The Institute develops innovative methods in imaging, chemistry, physiology and computing. As part of Bordeaux Neurocampus, the IINS is one of the key players in the neuroscience community in Aquitaine.
Constraints and risks
Possibility of working staggered hours
Compensation and benefits
Compensation
2300 € gross monthly
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
| Offer reference | UMR5297-MELDES0-321 |
|---|---|
| CN Section(s) / Research Area | Molecular and cellular neurobiology, neurophysiology |
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.
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