Recognised Researcher (R2) - Synaptic plasticity of appetitive learning

Project title:

Nencki-EMBL Center of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders: BRAINCITY

Project is carried out within the MAB/IRA programme of the Foundation for Polish Science

Project leader:

Anna Beroun (Neuronal Plasticy Lab)

Selection type:

Recognised Researcher (R2) (scientist holding a doctoral degree or equivalent)

This profile concerns individuals who are not fully independent scientists. 

Research areas:

Synaptic plasticity of appetitive learning

Within the Nencki-EMBL Center of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders: BRAINCITY, our research focuses on synaptic plasticity  that occurs during the formation of appetitive memory. We plan to understand the cellular mechanisms that underlie memory formation, focusing on central amygdala – a structure recently implicated in processing appetitive memory.  We plan to define the role of silent synapses during the acquisition and retrieval of appetitive memories. Silent synapses are immature contacts, that represent the brain’s increased capacity to learn. They have been proved instrumental to the development of extremely durable forms of appetitive memory, such as cocaine and alcohol addiction. To study the formation and fate of silent synapses in the amygdalar complex we will involve the use of optogenetics/pharmacogenetics, electrophysiological recordings and/or functional imaging (in-vivo, two-photon calcium imaging).

Postdoctoral candidates are welcome to propose their own research project, that would be complementary to our research.

For more information see: https://braincity.nencki.gov.pl/, https://www.nencki.edu.pl/

Key responsibilities of the Postdoctoral Researcher include:       

• Planning and conducting experimental work
• Data analysis
• Manuscript preparation
• Supervision of PhD students

Requirements and Selection Criteria for Director Position:

• Strong interest in Neuroscience research
• PhD degree, or equivalent, in neuroscience, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, biology, medical or veterinary sciences
• Exceptional motivation for scientific research (demonstrated via publications, references of the candidate's thesis tutor)
• Proficiency in English
• Prior experience in optogenetics/pharmacogenetics, calcium imaging, electrophysiology, behavioral experiments on mice and/or programming skills will be a great advantage

Employment conditions:

Job starting date: October 2021 or later

Duration of the position: till November 2023.

For more details about the position please contact: a.beroun@nencki.edu.pl

We offer:

• 15 000 PLN of full remuneration cost, i.e. expected net salary at c.a. 9 000 PLN/month (ca. 2 000 EUR/month)
• Full-time employment contract in the top-ranked research institute in Poland.
• Access to state-of-the-art equipment and support from other experienced researchers.
• Possibility for extensive interdisciplinary collaborations within the team and in the Institute, as well as international collaborations with academia

Required documents (in English):

1. CV
2. Letter-of-intent
3. 2 letters of recommendation
4. Copy of PhD diploma (or equivalent)
5. Contact information, including e-mail address and phone number
6. The candidates may include additional information or copies of documents/certificates in support of the application

Application procedure and deadline:

Closing date for applications: September 17th, 2021.

Applications should be sent to postdoc@nencki.edu.pl  Please, use ”postdoc AB” as a title of your message

Please include the following clause in your CV:

“I give consent for my personal data included in the recruitment form to be processed by Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS with its registered seat in Warsaw at Pasteur Street No. 3 (data controller) for the purposes of recruitment for Post-doctoral researcher position pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and to the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC in compliance with a legal obligation to which the data controller is subject to (Art. 6 section 1 letter a) and the Act on personal data protection of 10 May 2018 (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 1000).”

Information Clause

The Controller of data is Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS with its registered seat in Warsaw at Pasteur Street No. 3.

Contact Details of the Personal Data Protection Officer: iod@nencki.edu.pl

Personal data in the recruitment form is collected and will be processed only for the purposes of recruitment for listed position conducted by Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS.

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About us:

Foundation of Polish Science – the largest non-governmental organisation supporting science in Poland, under its project: International Research Agendas (IRAP), funded with European Regional Development Fund, seeks candidates for a position of Post-doctoral Researcher at The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS – led in Laboratory of Neuronal Plasticity, BRAINCITY by dr Anna Beroun.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 857533 and from the International Research Agendas Programme of the Foundation for Polish Science co-financed by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund.