An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the laboratory of Professor Scott Waddell at the Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour to investigate how learning and memory alter neural circuit activity to inform behaviour. Recent years have seen the development of new tools and methods that allow researchers to record the activity of specific neurons and circuits in tethered behaving Drosophila melanogaster. We aim to adapt these ‘behaviour in a virtual world’ methods to further investigate how memories are stored, updated and appropriately recalled from identified neural circuits, to coordinate meaningful behavioural responses. The successful applicant will use a combination of fly genetics and genetically-encoded tools, two-photon calcium imaging, electrophysiology, and computational analysis combined with behavioural learning paradigms in tethered Drosophila, to study how neural circuits function to encode and retrieve learned state-dependent behaviour.
The successful applicant will use the most up-to-date Drosophila genetics, design, generate and maintain new Drosophila stocks, design, generate and implement new single-fly behavioural paradigms that permit simultaneous recording of neural activity. Collect and analyse behavioural, and physiological data from electrophysiological recordings and two-photon imaging of voltage and intracellular calcium. The candidate will also be expected to effectively manage their day-to-day academic duties, plan and execute experiments, while keeping to deadlines. The project will require the individual to collaborate with other groups in the field. There will also be opportunity to collaborate within the Waddell group and supervise graduate and undergraduate student projects.
The successful candidate will have a PhD in neuroscience with research experience with insect models and knowledge of insect neuroanatomy. A track record of designing experimental protocols that study insect behaviour while simultaneously recording neural activity within the brain is also required. He/she should have experience with in-vivo electrophysiology and experience with signal processing, spike sorting, image analysis and MATLAB. The candidate should also be willing to collaborate within a diverse laboratory environment and bring a new perspective to the Waddell lab.
The post will be based at the Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, Tinsley Building, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SR.
This contract is fixed-term for 12 months in the first instance.
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