Postdoctoral Training Fellow

Vacancy Reference Number
014847
Closing Date
29 Sep 2020
Salary
Competitive
Address
The Francis Crick Institute, Midland Road, London
Duration
4 years ( Fixed term)

Job details

The Znamenskiy lab is looking for a postdoctoral fellow interested in studying the relationship between molecular make-up and circuit function of cortical neurons. Our goal is to discover how the gene expression patterns of cortical neurons guide the development of the distinct input/output wiring rules that give rise to their specialized response properties and route their output to appropriate targets. Members of the lab will benefit from access to phenomenal scientific technology platforms of the Francis Crick Institute and its collaborative environment alongside other developmental and systems neuroscience groups.

Excitatory cortical neurons are specialized—they send their long-range projections to a small number of areas and carry different kind of signals depending on where they project. These specializations limit what signals are available to their downstream targets and define the flow of information in the brain. Cortical neurons are also diverse at the molecular level, with every cortical area containing perhaps tens of different classes of excitatory cells, whose repertoire differs between areas. How this genetic heterogeneity influences which input individual neurons select and where they send their axons is not known.

To tackle this question, we are using the primary visual cortex (V1) of the mouse as a model. Projections of V1 target a number of regions, including several higher visual areas that lie immediately adjacent to it. V1 neurons projecting to different higher visual areas show different biases in their responses to visual inputs and make connections with different populations of neurons in the local circuit.

To understand how gene expression programs of V1 neurons determine their projection targets and constrain their functional properties, this postdoctoral project will combine measurements or perturbations of gene expression with detailed analysis of neuronal function in vivo. The details of the project will depend on the candidate’s background and interests but all projects are likely to involve an element of technology development. Therefore, a methodical approach to debugging new techniques and willingness to carry out high-risk high reward experiments would be key qualities for a successful candidate.

In addition, postdoctoral fellows in the lab are expected to collaborate with other members of the team and contribute to other projects aiming to understand the organization of cortical circuits and its developmental origins. Successful candidates are expected to lead their own projects, contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis (both in the lab and with external collaborators) and guide PhD students in their research. The ability to work in a team is essential.

Requirements

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: bold, imaginative, open, dynamic and collegial, in addition to the following:

  • PhD in Neuroscience, Bioengineering, Molecular Life Sciences, or a related field, or in the final stages of PhD submission
  • Good data analysis skills
  • Ability to design experiments, review and troubleshoot results, and report on outcomes
  • Good organizational and time management skills
  • Track record of writing papers as evidenced by publications, submitted manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, or pre-prints
  • Evidence of data presentation at scientific meetings

Desirable skills

  • Data analysis in Python or MATLAB, especially image analysis or bioinformatics
  • RNA-seq, sequencing library preparation or in situ transcriptomic methods
  • Design or application of microfluidic systems for biological applications
  • Two-photon calcium imaging in vivo
  • In utero electroporation or stereotactic surgery

How to apply 

https://my.corehr.com/pls/frckrecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.display_form?p_company=1&p_internal_external=E&p_display_in_irish=N&p_applicant_no=&p_recruitment_id=014847&p_process_type=&p_form_profile_detail=&p_display_apply_ind=Y&p_refresh_search=Y

Contact details

Group leader Petr Znamenskiy: petr.znamenskiy@crick.ac.uk