Postdoc in Neural Circuits of Sensorimotor Control

KU - SUND - PANUM KBH N; København; On-site; DKK 501,000 - 673,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

None

Job summary

The University of Copenhagen invites applications for a postdoctoral position in the Bellardita Laboratory to study neural circuits underlying sensorimotor control and adaptive behavior. The role involves in vivo neural recording, imaging, optogenetic and computational analyses in mice, within a collaborative, international environment.

The successful candidate will design and execute experiments, analyze large neural datasets, and contribute to manuscripts and conference presentations.

Qualifications

• PhD in Neuroscience or related field.
• Experience in systems, circuit or behavioral neuroscience.
• Experience with rodents and in vivo recording/manipulation.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments in behaving mice.
• Record and manipulate neural activity using advanced systems neuroscience approaches.
• Develop and apply quantitative behavioral paradigms.
• Analyse neural and behavioral data using computational and statistical methods.
• Contribute to development of new experimental approaches.
• Prepare scientific publications and present results at meetings.

Skills

In vivo neural recording

Calcium imaging

Electrophysiology

Optogenetics

Chemogenetics

Viral vectors

Stereotaxic techniques

Neural data analysis

Python

MATLAB

Education

PhD in Neuroscience or related field

Tools

Calcium imaging systems

Electrophysiology rigs

Optogenetic setups

Viral-vector delivery

Stereotaxic instruments

Job description

Postdoc in Neural Circuits of Sensorimotor Control

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher for a project investigating the neural circuit mechanisms underlying sensorimotor control and adaptive behavior. The research will take place at the Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, in the Bellardita Laboratory, as part of a research program supported by a Lundbeck Foundation Ascending Investigator Grant.

You will join an international and interdisciplinary research environment combining systems neuroscience, quantitative behavior and computational approaches to understand how neural circuits generate and adapt movement.

Our research

The Bellardita Laboratory studies how neural circuits generate, monitor and adapt movement. Our work focuses on understanding how neural activity across the nervous system is transformed into coordinated behavior and how sensory information contributes to the control and modification of movement. We combine experimental systems neuroscience with advanced behavioral analysis and computational approaches.

Our experimental approaches include in vivo neural recording and imaging, optogenetic and genetic manipulation of neural circuits, quantitative analysis of movement and behavior, and computational analysis of large neural and behavioral datasets.

A major goal of the laboratory is to understand the principles through which neural circuits integrate internal motor signals and sensory information to support flexible behavior. We investigate these questions across different forms of movement and levels of the nervous system.

The laboratory is part of the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Copenhagen and is embedded within a strong research environment in neural circuits, motor control, sensory systems and systems neuroscience. We collaborate with research groups in Denmark and internationally and aim to provide a supportive environment in which postdoctoral researchers can develop both technically and scientifically.

More information about our research can be found at: https://in.ku.dk/research/bellardita-lab/

Position responsibilities

The postdoctoral researcher will investigate neural circuit mechanisms involved in the control and adaptation of movement.

Responsibilities will include:

• Designing and conducting experiments in behaving mice.
• Recording and manipulating neural activity using advanced systems neuroscience approaches.
• Developing and applying quantitative behavioral paradigms.
• Analysing neural and behavioral data using computational and statistical approaches.
• Contributing to the development of new experimental approaches within the project.
• Preparing scientific publications and presenting results at national and international meetings.

The postdoctoral researcher will play a central role in the project and will have opportunities to develop independent scientific questions within its broader research framework.

Candidate profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with a strong interest in neural circuits and behavior.

Essential experience and skills

• PhD in Neuroscience, Neurobiology, Physiology, Biomedical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experimental experience in systems, circuit or behavioral neuroscience.
• Experience working with rodents.
• Experience with at least one method for recording and manipulating neural activity in vivo.
• In vivo calcium imaging, in vivo Electrophysiology, Optogenetic or chemogenetic manipulation, Viral-vector and stereotaxic approaches.
• Experience with quantitative analysis of experimental data using Python, MATLAB or comparable tools.
• Ability to design, perform and troubleshoot experiments independently.
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work collaboratively within a research team.
• Excellent English skills, both written and spoken.

Desirable experience and skills

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be an advantage:

• Quantitative behavioral analysis.
• Motor or sensorimotor neuroscience.
• Computational analysis of neural population activity.
• Machine-learning approaches for neural or behavioral data.
• Development of behavioral tasks in rodents.

Applicants are not expected to have experience with all of these methods. We particularly welcome researchers with strong expertise in one relevant experimental area who are interested in expanding their methodological repertoire.

Place of employment

You will be employed at the Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, at the Panum Institute in central Copenhagen.

The successful applicant will join a dynamic and international neuroscience environment. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions, access to modern experimental facilities, and opportunities to interact with researchers across systems neuroscience, neural circuits, motor control, computational neuroscience and biomedical engineering.

The postdoctoral researcher will be a major participant in the scientific development of the project, from experimental design and data collection to analysis, interpretation, publication and presentation of the work at international conferences.

Terms of employment

The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 2 years. The starting date is the 1st of January 2027 or after agreement.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 42.000 DKK/approx. 5.618,63 EUR (August 2026 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions

For further information please contact Carmelo Bellardita [e-mail] ; www.sund.ku.dk

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

The further process

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.