PhD student (M/F)

CNRS; France; Sur place; EUR 30 000 - 40 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research institution in France is looking for a First Stage Researcher to investigate neurobiological mechanisms linked to stress recovery. The role is based in the Brain Plasticity Laboratory and involves real-time measurement of neuronal activities during experimental setups, with an emphasis on the impact of respiration and autonomic activity. Candidates should hold a MSc/PhD in Neuroscience, have experience with neuronal activity measurement, and be skilled in experimental design and data analysis. The position offers a full-time contract starting March 2, 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience in measuring neuronal activity in experimental setups.
• Knowledge of respiratory and autonomic activity measurement techniques.
• Familiarity with behavioral neuroscience and stress models.

Responsabilités

• Measure activity of CRH neurons and dopamine signals during experiments.
• Conduct experiments using various respiratory rhythms and assess their impact.
• Analyze data related to stress outputs and physiological metrics.

Connaissances

Measurement of neuronal activity and signals

Ability to design experiments

Knowledge in neurophysiology

Experience with animal models

Formation

MSc or PhD in Neuroscience or related field

Outils

Electrophysiology equipment

Fiber photometry tools

Data analysis software

Description du poste

Psychological sciences » Cognitive science

Psychological sciences » Psychology

CNRS Department Plasticité du cerveau | Neurosciences | Psychological sciences » Cognitive science | Psychological sciences » Psychology

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1) | Country: France | Application Deadline: 8 Jan 2026 (23:59 UTC) | Contract: Temporary | Status: Full-time | Hours per week: 35 | Starting date: 2 Mar 2026 | EU Research Framework Programme: Not funded | Research Infrastructure: No

Offer Description

The position is based in the Brain Plasticity Laboratory (CNRS UMR 8249), hosted at the École Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles de la Ville de Paris (ESPCI Paris - PSL), located at 10 rue Vauquelin, 75005 Paris. The laboratory conducts research in neuroscience, with a focus on brain plasticity mechanisms, stress-sleep interactions, and the use of technologies in neurophysiology and behavior. The candidate will join a dynamic and multidisciplinary team, benefiting from a high-level research environment within PSL University, and will have access to technical platforms including an accredited animal facility and electrophysiology and fiber photometry equipment. The PhD student will have an individual office and dedicated computers for office work and data analysis. All means necessary for the successful completion of the project will be provided.

Neurobiological mechanisms of post-stress recovery: from respiration to brain circuits

Background

The project is based on an aversive U-Maze that reveals two physiologically distinct immobility states, identified during conditioning by immobility (accelerometer) combined with a respiratory frequency threshold at 4–6 Hz and elevated heart rate, and a "recovery" state with slow respiration at 2–4 Hz and reduced heart rate, whose expression is associated with post-task markers compatible with a lower stress load. The thesis will test how this recovery state is expressed (i) at the level of stress/valence systems (PVN-CRH, dopamine) and (ii) via a respiration–olfactory bulb–PFC loop that may control/stabilize pro-defensive vs. restorative neuronal states.

Objectives

• Measure in real time the activity of CRH neurons in the PVN (GCaMP8f in CRH-Cre) and dopaminergic signals (GRAB-DA1h in target regions) during "threat" vs. "recovery" episodes in a U-Maze.
• Test the involvement of respiratory oscillations via the olfactory bulb by disrupting/imposing rhythms (e.g., 13 Hz for disruption, 2–4 Hz or 4–6 Hz; open-loop/closed-loop and optogenetic approaches) and assessing the impact on immobility states and neurophysiological signatures.
• Relate these measurements to "stress" outputs (post-task corticosterone, Elevated Plus Maze, and composite index based on thigmotaxis, sleep fragmentation, REM reduction, and heart rate).

Experimental approach

Mice are instrumented for respiration (nasal pressure sensor), autonomic activity (ECG/HRV) and, depending on sub-projects, LFP OB/PFC, with addition of optical fiber(s) for photometry after viral expression of GCaMP8f/GRAB-DA1h. The U-Maze includes conditioning phases to robustly sample both states, followed by post-task measurements (corticosterone, EPM) and sleep recordings to compute the stress score.

Expected results

The central expectation is to determine whether slow-breathing "recovery" is accompanied by decreased PVN-CRH activity and dopaminergic dynamics compatible with a "relief/recovery" process, and whether these signatures are causally modulated by manipulation of olfactory bulb → PFC oscillations. This framework should produce a mechanistic model linking a behavioral/physiological biomarker (slow breathing in safe zone) to neurobiological mechanisms of post-stress recovery, beyond mere absence of stress.

Research Field

Psychological sciences » Cognitive science

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4