PostDoc on Neural Circuits of Sleep Vigilance

Unil; Lausanne; Hybrid; CHF 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Nice working place

Professional training opportunities

Job summary

UNIL's Department of Fundamental Neurosciences invites applications for a PostDoc to study neuronal circuits underlying vigilance during mouse sleep, using sleep recordings, circuit tracing, calcium imaging and circuit manipulation.

The candidate will be trained in analytical tools for sleep and neural signal analysis, with opportunities to expand 2P imaging and neuropixel recordings, and will mentor graduate students, prepare manuscripts and assist grant applications.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in life science, preferably neuroscience.
• Advanced understanding of neural circuit function and dynamics of brain states.
• Basic knowledge in computational analysis, with coding in MATLAB and Python.
• Fluency in oral and written English.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and train graduate students and contribute to manuscript preparation and grant applications.
• Perform sleep recordings and monitor neuronal activity, behavior, and histology.
• Develop and apply analytical tools for sleep and neural signal analysis.
• Contribute to expansion of imaging toolbox and collaborative projects.

Skills

Neural circuits

Python

MATLAB

Education

PhD in Life Science

Tools

2P imaging

Patch-clamp

Calcium imaging

Job description

Career Opportunities: PostDoc on Neural Circuits of Sleep Vigilance (22981)

Requisition ID22981-Posted09/22/2026- Type of position (1) - Area of Activity (1) - Rate of Participation (1) - Faculty / Service (1) - Personnel Category (1)

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility.

Candidates are invited to apply for an open position for a PostDoc position at the Department of Fundamental Neurosciences (DNF) at UNIL. The postdoctoral project aims to understand the neuronal circuit mechanisms underlying the mechanisms of vigilance during mouse sleep, using approaches for sleep recording, together with circuit tracing, calcium imaging and circuit manipulation.

Job information

Expected start date in position : Between December 2026 and February 2027

The successful candidate will work on a scientific project using state-of-the-art sleep recordings in parallel with neuronal activity monitoring, behavior, single cell physiology and histology. The candidate will be further introduced into analytical tools for sleep and neural signal analysis and customize these according to his needs. In addition, the candidate will have opportunities to expand a toolbox making use of 2P imaging as well as neuropixel recordings, which are currently being set within the laboratory. Lastly, the candidate will contribute to the training and mentoring of graduate students, the preparation and review of manuscripts, and grant applications.

Highly committed, driven and with team spirit.

Ph.D. in life science, preferably in neuroscience.

Advanced understanding of neural circuit function and dynamics of brain states.

Basic knowledge in computational analysis, with experience in coding (Matlab, Python).

Fluency in oral and written English.

Desired qualifications

Experience using mouse as animal model systems, imaging technologies, and patch-clamp recording techniques.

What the position offers you

We offer a nice working place in a multicultural, diverse and dynamic academic environment. Opportunities for professional training, a lot of activities and other benefits to discover.

Department of Fundamental Neurosciences | DNF

University of Lausanne | UNIL

Additional information

UNIL is committed to:

• equality, diversity and inclusion within its community;
• ensuring an open and respectful environment that is conducive to personal development;
• offering working conditions that facilitate work-life balance;
• supporting early career researchers.